Virat Kohli is currently enjoying a break from cricket. He was last seen in action in an ODI series against Sri Lanka. He is expected to play a big part when India take on Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting on September 19. Though, he is away from the game, Kohli continues to make the headline. According to a report in Fortune India, Virat Kohli paid Rs 66 crore tax in the financial year 2023-24 – the highest among sportspersons. MS Dhoni (Rs 38 crore) and Sachin Tendulkar (Rs 28 crore) take the next two spots. 

Sourav Ganguly (Rs 23 crore) and Hardik Pandya (Rs 13 crore) are also among the top five, according to the report. The list only shows celebrity taxpayers. Actor Thalapathy Vijay tops the over all list after paying Rs 80 crore tax. 

One of the finest batters of his generation, Virat Kohli wasn’t always the sort of batter he is at present. Born in Delhi, Virat had a sort of flamboyance to his game when he first started playing but has gradually emerged as a more mature player who knows how to pace his game, depending upon the situation he is batting in. Those who played with him during the early days, see the sort of difference Kohli has brought about in his game. One such cricketer is Harbhajan Singh who was an established name in the Indian team when Virat played his first few games.

“I remember this one incident. Viru [Virender Sehwag] had gotten injured I supposed. [Ajantha] Mendis was getting everyone out. He comes in; young guy, free energy. He batted and scored a fifty. He asked me ‘Paaji, how did I play? I said, ‘Very well’. He then said ‘Paaji, I shouldn’t have gotten out, should have smacked him more’. Loved the attitude,” Harbhajan said about Kohli during a chat on Taruwar Kohli‘s podcast.

While Kohli has gone on to break some of the biggest records in the game, his journey hasn’t been all smooth. Harbhajan revealed that even Kohli had doubts about his career after a few unsuccessful outings, and had to be given course correction by the Turbonator.

“If I tell you something about his Test cricket, at the very beginning. We were in West Indies. On that tour, Fidel Edwards (former West Indies quick) had troubled him a lot, getting him out either LBW or against the short ball. He was getting out time and again, so obviously was very disappointed. He had self-doubt, and questioned ‘If I am good enough?’ I told him ‘You will shame yourself if you don’t score 10000 runs. You have the capability of scoring 10000 runs in Test cricket. And if you don’t, it’ll be because of your own fault’. After that, what Kohli has done is a once-in-a-lifetime exception,” said Bhajji.

England great Joe Root became the all-time highest-scoring player for his country at the age of 33, as he registered his 34th hundred in the second Test against Sri Lanka. There’s been a significant shift in the way England play cricket at present, with Brendon McCullum‘s Bazball bringing about a change that demands a more attacking style. Yet, Root has managed to continue his exemplary form, pile up more runs, and reach milestones that others can only dream of. Sitting on the 7th spot of top run-getters in Test cricket with 12,377 runs to his name, Root has a realistic chance of beating the numero uno Sachin Tendulkar in the list.

When asked about the fact that Root can go on to be the top-scoring player of all time in red-ball cricket, the England star said that his focus remains just to play and score runs for his team. He isn’t thinking about anything beyond that.

“I just want to play, and try, and do my bit for the team and score the runs as many as I can and see where we get to. But there’s no better feeling I mean, it’s obviously amazing when, you score 100, you’d be lying if you said it wasn’t, a big part of why you start playing the game and what you love about it,” said Root in a video shared by England Cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar – 15921 runs

Joe Root – 12377 runs

Half an eye on Sachin’s record, Joe?

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 31, 2024

“But there’s no better feeling than winning a Test match. So the more, it can affect games and the more you can, add to the team, the greater it is. So, that will be the main focus. And hopefully more days like this will come with that mentality,” he added.

With a few years of cricket still left, and fitness on his side, Root has a realistic chance of surpassing Tendulkar to the top spot in the list of run-scorers in Test cricket.

The newly-elected ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s efforts as BCCI secretary in giving equal priority to men’s and women’s cricket have made the Indian board a “pioneer” for other governing bodies of the game to follow, reckoned legendary Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday. Shah will leave BCCI after a five-year stint, which began in October 2019, to take over as the independent chairman of the International Cricket Council from December 1.

Tendulkar joined many former and current players to extend his wishes to Shah, who will be the youngest ICC chairman in history at the age of 35.

“Being enthusiastic and having the drive to do something good for cricket are essential qualities for a cricket administrator. @JayShah displayed these traits wonderfully during his stint as @BCCI secretary,” Tendulkar wrote on X.

“His endeavours towards prioritising both women’s cricket and men’s cricket have made the BCCI a pioneer that other boards can follow. I wish him the very best of luck towards the next phase of his journey, as he becomes the youngest chairman of the @ICC,” he said.

Being enthusiastic and having the drive to do something good for cricket are essential qualities for a cricket administrator. @JayShah displayed these traits wonderfully during his stint as @BCCI secretary.

His endeavours towards prioritising both women’s cricket and men’s…

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 28, 2024

Shah will be the fifth Indian to head the ICC and Tendulkar hoped that he would be able to carry the legacy forward.

“India has sent several luminaries to lead the ICC as administrators: Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, Mr. Sharad Pawar, Mr. N. Srinivasan, and Mr. Shashank Manohar. I am sure he will build on their legacy and take the game of cricket forward,” he added.

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, who was the BCCI president during Shah’s first term wrote, “Congratulations to Jay Shah @JayShah on his new role as ICC chair.. wish him a great journey ahead ..” (sic) India’s batting mainstay Virat Kohli also congratulated Shah for his new role. “Many congratulations @JayShah on being elected as the ICC chairman. Wishing you great success ahead,” he wrote.

India’s Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma wrote, “Heartiest Congratulations @JayShah.” Jasprit Bumrah also extended his wishes, “Congratulations @Jay Shah bhai! Your passion for the game will ensure it’s taken to the next level. Wishing you lots of luck!” 

The Legends League Cricket, featuring retired swashbucklers like Shikhar Dawan and Dinesh Karthik among others, will return for a third season on September 20, criss-crossing Jodhpur, Surat, and Jammu before finally bringing the high-profile cricketers to Srinagar after close to 40 years. The league will kick off at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur on September 20. A total of 25 matches will be played among six teams and the last two sides standing will play the final on October 16.

The franchise-based tournament, which features a pool of over 200 players, will have its final at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

“Legends League Cricket is back for another season and we are very excited to also be playing in Kashmir this season. This is a huge opportunity for the people of Kashmir to come to the stadium and watch live cricketing action for the first time in almost 40 years,” said Raman Raheja, Co-Founder, Legends League Cricket.

“It also presents a unique opportunity for the cricketers to experience the beauty of Kashmir and enjoy the hospitality and love of the wonderful people of Srinagar.” The organisers stated that the league attracted a massive audience of 180 million across India during the previous season, spanning 19 matches.

“With an extended schedule and a star-studded lineup, including the recently retired Dhawan and Karthik, the upcoming season is poised to surpass previous records,” the organisers stated.

In the previous edition held in India, former international stalwarts such as Suresh Raina, Aaron Finch, Martin Guptill, current India head coach Gautam Gambhir, Chris Gayle, Hashim Amla, Ross Taylor, and many others played alongside 110 other legendary cricketers.  The league will kick off in Jodhpur and then make its way to the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat.

The third leg will be played at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu. The players’ auction for the event will be held on Thursday. 

In a touching show of patriotism, Indian sports icons have come together to extend their heartfelt wishes on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day. From cricket legends to Olympic and Paralympic champions, athletes have taken to social media to share their greetings with the nation. “Sportspersons aren’t the only ones playing for India. Every Indian who does their job with honesty and sincerity is a key player for Team India. So, when the national anthem plays today, know that it’s for you, and I hope you’ll feel the same way I did when I heard it every time I stepped out to play for India,” Sachin Tendulkar posted on X.

Sportspersons aren’t the only ones playing for India. Every Indian who does their job with honesty and sincerity is a key player for Team India. So, when the national anthem plays today, know that it’s for you, and I hope you’ll feel the same way I did when I heard it every time…

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 15, 2024

Olympics medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal said, “As a sportsperson, I’ve learned the value of freedom on the field, but it’s the freedom of our nation that gives us the strength to dream big. Happy Independence Day!”

As a sportsperson, I’ve learned the value of freedom on the field, but it’s the freedom of our nation that gives us the strength to dream big. Happy Independence Day!#JaiHind #FreedomToDream #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/cOkTpIr6dD

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) August 15, 2024

Indian men’s hockey stalwart PR Sreejesh, said “Proud Indian, Wishing you all a memorable Independence Day! May the spirit of freedom and patriotism fill your heart with pride.”

Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, shared “Freedom comes at a price. Our heroes pay it everyday with their blood! Never forget #HappyIndependenceDay”

Freedom comes at a price. Our heroes pay it everyday with their blood! Never forget #HappyIndependenceDaypic.twitter.com/wJgY4IH5pi

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 15, 2024

Ex-India women’s cricket captain, Mithali Raj wrote, “Every time our tricolour flutters in the wind, it tells a story of resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Our nation’s journey is a testament to the strength we find in unity and the dreams we share. Today, we honour our past and look ahead to a future filled with endless possibilities. Happy Independence Day to every Indian, wherever you are.”

Paralympics champion shuttler Pramod Bhagat also conveyed his greeting on the occasion, “Happy Independence Day! Let’s take a moment to reflect on our journey as a nation and pledge to contribute towards a brighter future for all. Together, we are unstoppable!”

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, wrote “Let us celebrate the courage and sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom. Let us stay united and work towards progress, and equality for all Indians. Happy Independence Day”

“Always proud and honoured to stand with our tricolor! Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Independence Day,” posted former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh.

Always proud and honoured to stand with our tricolor!

Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Independence Day  #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/cgYJTa6OKK

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) August 15, 2024

The theme of this year’s Independence Day celebration is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’, which aims to propel the country towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by the year 2047.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag and delivered the customary address to the nation from the Red Fort’s ramparts.

Around 6,000 special guests representing diverse sections of Indian society, including youth, tribal communities, farmers, women, and beneficiaries of various government schemes, were invited to witness the ceremony.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has thrown his weight behind wrestler Vinesh Phogat, following her disqualification from the Women’s 50kg event at the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh was disqualified on the morning of his gold medal bout for being 100 grams overweight, shattering the 29-year-old’s hopes of winning an Olympic medal. After her disqualification, Vinesh has made an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be awarded the silver medal. While the appeal was accepted, the CAS said that its one-member Ad-hoc panel will give a verdict on the same before the end of the Paris Olympics.

Taking to social media platform X, Tendulkar highlighted the loopholes in the rules, suggesting that the rule books should be revisited at times.

“Time for an Umpire’s Call! Every sport has rules and those rules need to be seen in context, maybe even revisited at times. Vinesh Phogat qualified fair and square for the finals. Her disqualification by weight, was before the finals, and hence, for her to be robbed of a deserving silver medal defies logic and sporting sense,” Tendulkar said in a statement.

#VineshPhogat #Paris2024 #Olympics @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/LKL4mFlLQq

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 9, 2024

Tendulkar added that since Vinesh beat her opponents fair and square on her way to the final, it’s unfair to take the credit away from her, and hoped that the CAS will deliver the verdict in favour of the Indian athletes.

“It would have been understandable if an athlete were to have been disqualified for ethical breaches such as the usage of performance enhancing drugs. In that case, to not be awarded any medal and be placed last would be justifiable. However, Vinesh beat her opponents fairly to reach the top two. She definitely deserves a silver medal. While we all wait for a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, let us hope and pray that Vinesh gets the recognition she deserves,” the statement added.

Vinesh, who will be represented by renowned senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, filed a plea before the CAS ad hoc division at 2:00 PM on Wednesday. 

The CAS has confirmed that there was no time to annul her disqualification from the Olympic Games, due to the paucity of time.

The India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the biggest in the world of sports, with the two nations featuring in some iconic games over the years. While India has produced some of the finest batters the game has ever seen, Pakistan’s prowess with the ball, especially in the pace department, has been their biggest strength. Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has recalled his playing details, providing some interesting insights of their dressing room dynamics. Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Ali admitted that the Pakistan players were scared of India batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.

While insisting that India had a lot of great batters in their team including former captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Ali recalled Wasim Akram‘s pep talk to the players before the match regarding Tendulkar. 

“He (Tendulkar) was a top order batter and I was a middle order batter, so we used to see his batting. In our team meetings, our captain at that time Wasim Akram used to say everywhere, even during practice, even during meals, ‘dismiss Sachin and we’ll win the match’,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.

“And soon as Sachin used to get out, Pakistan used to win the match. Even though the great Azharuddin was there, but we were not scared of Azharuddin, but definitely scared of Sachin Tendulkar,” the 53-year-old added.

Tendulkar leads the ODI run-scoring charts in the rivalry between India and Pakistan, scoring 2526 runs in 67 innings in 69 matches. He also scored 1057 runs against Pakistan in Test cricket, averaging over 42.

Tendulkar, known as ‘Master Blaster’ for his ability to blast his way through any bowling attack and his very mastery over every skill, technique and shot in the book, this right-handed batter entertained and mesmerised the entire world with his batting from 1989-2013.

The Maharashtra-born player made his Test debut on November 15, 1989, at the age of 16. In the same year on December 18, he played his first ODI match.

With 34,357 runs in 664 international appearances at an average of 48.52, Sachin is the highest run-scorer in international cricket. He has scored 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries, most in international cricket. He is the only player to have a century of centuries.

(With ANI Inputs)

Former captain Michael Vaughan has lauded Joe Root for being a special batter and has predicted that he could overtake Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs by a batter in the history of men’s Test cricket. On Sunday, Root smashed 122 off 178 balls, his 32nd Test hundred, during England’s 241-run win over the West Indies at Nottingham to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Root, who now has 11,940 Test runs, has also become the eighth-highest run-getter in Test cricket, going past the likes of Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (11,814) and the West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11,867).

“Joe Root will become England’s leading run-scorer in the next few months and is so special that he really could overtake Sachin Tendulkar eventually. As the rock, Root is obviously key to that, and I love that he kept the reverse-scoop in the locker until he was past 100 and England’s lead was massive.

“Against an attack like the West Indies in these conditions, you expect him to get a century. He missed out in the first innings but was so determined to put it right in the second. He was never going to make the same mistakes,” wrote Vaughan in his column for The Telegraph.

He also praised right-handed batter Harry Brook for hitting his first Test century on home soil, but advised him to do something about his issues related to facing short ball. “Then there’s Harry Brook, who is going to provide spectators so many ‘I was there’ moments in the next few years. He will play innings and shots that just make you go “wow”. I have seen players with time, but I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone with that much time to play aggressive shots looking very easy. Stillness, trigger, hands high, cocked wrist.

“There is a bit of Kevin Pietersen there, that ability to play jaw-dropping innings. Darren Lehmann has coached some serious players and he tweeted on Sunday that he is in the top five players he has thrown balls to, alongside Steve Smith, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers and Kumar Sangakkara. That is special company to keep.

“The short ball is his challenge, but I genuinely don’t think he’s got a weakness against it. He is just facing a fair bit of it, because it’s the obvious way to bowl to someone who is so aggressive. I don’t think it’s like a Kraigg Brathwaite, who has a problem with the short stuff, flicking in the air from armpit height.

“Brook has been out to it a few times in ungainly fashion, but I think that is just his ultra-aggression. I watch him net every morning at the Test match and he is getting peppered by the short ball, so he’s clearly thinking about it. In Australia, he might have to learn to duck and sway at times, because the boundaries are bigger and the pitches quicker,” he concluded.

File photo of former Indian cricket team stars Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni© X (formerly Twitter)

Two of the finest batters of all time, India great Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies legend Brian Lara broke several records during their playing days, and many of them still stand till date. While Tendulkar is the all-time leading run-scorer in both Tests (15,921) and ODIs (18,426), Lara holds the record for the highest score by a batter in Tests (400) and First Class Cricket (501). While Lara has always been a huge admirer of Tendulkar, and vice-versa, the former West Indies has named a player who he thinks was even more naturally gifted than him and the ‘Master Blaster’.

Lara said that in terms for raw talent, his former teammate Carl Hooper was the best player he has ever seen.

“Carl was easily one of the best players I’ve ever seen. I would say that not even Tendulkar and myself would come close to that talent. Separate Carl’s career from playing to captaining and his numbers are very different. As a captain he averaged near to 50, so he enjoyed the responsibility. It’s sad that only as a captain did he fulfil his true potential,” Lara wrote in his new book, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Lara even mentioned that legendary West Indies batter Vivian Richard loved Hooper than him, even though he didn’t want either to be better than him.

Now listen, it needs to be said that Viv Richards never cried down on a person because he didn’t want them to be great like him. His sternness was who he was, but he never wanted you not to do well. It was just how he was. And look, Viv loved Carl. Much more than he loved me, that’s for sure. But the way Viv shows love didn’t resonate with Carl.

Recently, Lara picked two players each from England and India who can break his record of 400 runs in a Test innings.

“There were players in my time who challenged, or at least went past the 300 mark – Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sanath Jayasuriya. They were pretty much aggressive players,” Lara told The Daily Mail.

“How many aggressive players do you have playing today? Especially in the England team. Zak Crawley and Harry Brook. Maybe in the Indian team? Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill. If they find the right situation, the records could be broken – both of them,” he added.