FIRSTPOST YOUSPEAK
Tuesday, May 21st 11:29 PM IST
Gallery
Virat Kohli GALLERY.
Virat Kohli's swashbuckling innings of 133 not out - which helped India chase down a target of 321 against Sri Lanka in the CB series at Hobart - was adjudged as the best ODI batting performance of 2012. Apart from senior cricket writers, ESPN Cricinfo's jury included former cricketers Rahul Dravid, Geoffrey Boycott, Ian Chappell and Rameez Raja to decide the winners. Kohli's 133 came in just 86 balls and consisted of 16 fours and two sixes, culminating in the quickest chase of a 300-plus total in ODI history. [caption id=attachment_655087 align=alignleft width=380 Virat Kohli's swashbuckling innings
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, budding Indian players practice at a soccer coaching camp in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
strongNew Delhi/strong: Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma is a happy man as the effort that his favourite student Virat Kohli put in at the nets prior to the Australia series has worked wonders for the player. I had a specific strategy in mind for Virat so that he could counter the Australian quick bowlers. Since, it is very difficult to find quicks, who can consistently hit 140 kmph at the nets, I decided to shorten the length of the pitch from 22 yards to 20 yards, Sharma told emPTI/em today. [caption id=attachment_637579 align=alignleft width=380 strongNew Delhi/strong: Virat Kohli
It feels like Virat Kohli has been around a while. His is a familiar face in India colours and so it takes a moment to remember that he is still only 24 and the familiarity comes from one-day cricket. In Test terms, Virat is still very much a newbie. The first Test against Australia will be just his 15th five-day game. He made his ODI debut in 2008, but his Test debut only came in 2011. And while he has become a one-day superstar - averaging 49.43 from 98 matches with 13 hundreds - he has yet to replicate that form in Tests. His overall average is 38.73, which is decent, but the splits are heavily skewed towards home conditions. In India he averages 51.50, while away (West Indies/Australia) he averages just 28.92 (admittedly, it is a small sample size). [caption id=attachment_632634 align=alignleft width=380 It feels like Virat Kohli has been
strongMohali/strong: India's star batsman Virat Kohli today said that his prolonged form slump was annoying, but staying calm and patient helped him overcome it. Kohli marked his return to form with an unbeaten 77 in the last one-dayer in Ranchi against England after a string of low scores which had become a matter of concern for the team. I wasn't feeling the same as others might have about my form, to be honest. No one can keep scoring consistently for a period of 16 months. It's always a balance in international cricket. There will be a phase when you don't score in four-five games, Kohli said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth ODI tomorrow. It was a bit annoying for me as I was not getting out making too many mistakes. I got a few good balls in the last series and made a few mistakes in this series. But, I was pretty calm at that point of time. You just got to be composed. You just know that it is going to happen at some point or the other (return to form), he said. India are leading the five-match ODI series against England 2-1 and will look to settle the issue by taking an unassailable lead at the PCA stadium here tomorrow. The right-hander pointed out that working hard regularly in the nets and staying calm and patient was the only mantra which had helped him tide over the lean phase. [caption id=attachment_598194 align=alignleft width=380 strongMohali/strong: India's star b
Virat Kohli likes to talk and for that he has attracted the displeasure of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), says a href=http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2013/jan/220113-virat-kohli-bcci-media-interaction.htma report/a in the Mumbai daily Mid-Day. The BCCI issues a gag order which prevents players from speaking to the media during a tournament or a series. The only interaction between players and the media is during the official press conferences. However, Kohli - who made an unbeaten 77 at Ranchi - spoke to a href=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130119/jsp/sports/story_16460314.jsp#.UP5fQB1JPNsThe Telegraph/a at length in an interview published on January 19 - the day India beat England by seven wickets in the third ODI at Ranchi to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. [caption id=attachment_597885 align=alignleft width=380 Virat Kohli likes to talk and for t
An Indian fan displays a poster of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli outside the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera near Ahmedabad on December 28, 2012. Pakistan and India played a cricket Twenty20 match at Motera stadium. An Indian fan displays a poster of
strongNagpur:/strong Virat Kohli slammed a patient century while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed it by just one run as the duo showed admirable tenacity under pressure to lead a remarkable Indian fightback which has restored the balance in the fourth and final cricket Test against England here today. Resuming at a precarious 87 for 4 in response to England's first innings total of 330, Kohli (103) and Dhoni (99)played with great discipline and curbed their natural strokeplay on a slow track as the hosts reached 297 for eight at close on the third day which was dominated by the home team. R Ashwin was batting on seven when play was called off after Piyush Chawla's dismissal, with India still trailing by 33 runs. [caption id=attachment_558661 align=alignleft width=380 strongNagpur:/strong Virat Kohli sl
There is no doubting Virat Kohli's talent or his determination to succeed at Test level. Anyone who watched him make a hundred in Adelaide at the start of the year knows how badly he wants to be seen as a complete cricketer. He is also unquestionably one of the batting pillars around which the next-generation Indian team should be built. But something has not been quite right against England. He has seemed tense at the crease and unsure of how to build his innings. It isn't simply that he has struggled to make runs (he has made 19, 14*, 19, 7 and 6); it is the way he has been getting out. [caption id=attachment_546729 align=alignleft width=380 There is no doubting Virat Kohli's
AHMEDABAD, INDIA - NOVEMBER 14: Virat Kohli of India smiles during a nets session at Sardar Patel Stadium on November 14, 2012 in Ahmedabad, India. AHMEDABAD, INDIA - NOVEMBER 14: Vi
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli throws a ball during a training session at The Sardar Patel Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad on November 12, 2012. India plays the first Test match against England from November 15 in Ahmedabad. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli throws
India's Virat Kohli throws the ball during a cricket practice session in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad November 12, 2012. The first test cricket match between India and England will be played in Ahmedabad starting on November 15. India's Virat Kohli throws the ball
Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli arrives at a hotel in Ahmedabad on November 12, 2012. The Indian cricket team plays their first test against England in Ahmedabad starting on November 15. Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli arri
India cricketer Virat Kohli plays a shot during a training session on the first day of a three day camp at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai on November 9, 2012. The Indian cricket team has opted for a three day training camp ahead of their upcoming four test series against England. India cricketer Virat Kohli plays a
India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (L) shares a light moment with teammates Virat Kohli (C) and Yuvraj Singh during a training session on the first day of a three day camp at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai on November 9, 2012. The Indian cricket team has opted for a three day training camp ahead of their upcoming four test series against England. India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (L
strongColombo:/strong Young Virat Kohli was the lone Indian cricketer to find a place in the ICC World Twenty20 men's XI of the tournament, which was dominated by champions West Indies and runners-up Sri Lanka. Kohli scored 185 runs runs in India's five matches. In the women's XI, Poonam Raut was the only Indian to make the cut. Suresh Raina was named 12th man of the men's team. Finalists Sri Lanka and West Indies contributed a total of five players to the men's team with Mahela Jayawardene named as captain, the ICC said in a statement. [caption id=attachment_483009 align=alignleft width=380 strongColombo:/strong Young Virat K
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - OCTOBER 02: L Balaji of India celebrates the wicket of J P Duminy of South Africa with teammate Virat Kohli during the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Super Eights Group 2 match between South Africa and India at R. Premadasa Stadium on October 2, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - OCTOBER 02: L
South African cricketer Jacques Kallis (L) celebrates after he dismissed Indian cricketer Virat Kohli during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and South Africa at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on October 2, 2012. South African cricketer Jacques Kal
in this photograph taken on September 30, 2012 Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh celebrates after he dismissed Pakistan batsman Kamran Akmal during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Six months ago, Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was battling cancer in the United States and wondering if he would live, let alone play cricket again. Yuvraj answered his critics in the crunch game against Pakistan on September 30 with two wickets in three overs, a direct hit to effect a run out before partnering Virat Kohli in an unbroken half-century stand to see India home. in this photograph taken on Septemb
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli celebrates after winning the World Twenty20 cricket match against Pakistan on September 30, 2012 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. India hammered Pakistan by eight wickets in a key Super Eight game to stay in contention for the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in Colombo. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli celebr
Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal (L) is congratulated by Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (C) on September 30, 2012 after India's victory in the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal (L) i
Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh (L) and Virat Kohli (R) celebrate on September 30, 2012 during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh (L)
Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal drops this chance to catch out Indian cricketer Virat Kohli on September 30, 2012 during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal drops
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (C) plays a shot as Pakistan wicket keeper Kamran Akmal (L) watches it on September 30, 2012 during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (C) pl
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (L) plays a shot as Pakistan's wicket keeper Kamran Akmal (2nd-R) looks on during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup's Super Eight match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on September 30, 2012. India hammered Pakistan by eight wickets to stay in contention for the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in Colombo. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (L) pl
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli plays a shot during the World Twenty20 cricket match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on September 30, 2012. India hammered Pakistan by eight wickets to stay in contention for the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in Colombo. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli plays
Indian Virat Kohli reacts after scoring a half-century (50 runs) on September 30, 2012 during the World Twenty20 cricket match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket stadium in Colombo. Indian Virat Kohli reacts after sco
Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal (R) bowls to India's Virat Kohli during the ICC World Twenty20 Super 8 cricket match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo September 30, 2012. Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal (R) bowls to
India's Virat Kohli hits a six watched by Pakistan's Kamran Akmal (L) during the ICC World Twenty20 Super 8 cricket match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo September 30, 2012. India's Virat Kohli hits a six watc
India's Virat Kohli (L) celebrates with team mate Mahendra Singh Dhoni after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez during the ICC World Twenty20 Super 8 cricket match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo September 30, 2012. India's Virat Kohli (L) celebrates