Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is set to rejoin the national team in South Africa, gearing up for the inaugural Test match scheduled to kick off on December 26 in Centurion. A recent report from News18 sheds light on the reason behind Kohli’s temporary departure.

During his absence, Kohli was in London, a pre-planned trip that had been communicated well in advance to the team management. Contrary to speculation, the decision was not abrupt, as a senior BCCI official clarified:

“Look at the player in question, it’s Virat Kohli. He is very well planned when it comes to these things, and his London trip was communicated and planned well in advance.”

Officials further revealed that Kohli had engaged in multiple training sessions with the team before departing for London on December 15. After his return, he is expected to resume practice upon joining the team in Centurion. The absence of Kohli from the intra-squad practice matches was a strategic move, ensuring his optimal preparation for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.

South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, expressed confidence that India would face a formidable challenge despite its frontline pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi returning to action. Both Rabada and Ngidi, having overcome minor setbacks, were seen in full swing during the training sessions.

Conrad acknowledged the importance of freshness in his pacers, stating,

“They will be fresh and firing. I am always a firm believer in freshness.”

Although Rabada and Ngidi may lack recent match practice, Conrad remains unfazed, expressing optimism about their readiness for the game.

As the ‘Boxing Day’ Test approaches, the South African coach anticipates having a full squad of 15 to choose from, emphasizing the potential impact of his lethal bowling duo in challenging India on the pacer-friendly Centurion track.

Renowned Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has urgently returned home due to a family emergency, throwing a curveball into preparations just days before the commencement of the first Test against South Africa. Sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that the iconic batsman is expected to rejoin the squad in time for the opening Test scheduled for December 26 in Centurion.

Earlier, the BCCI had released wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan from the Test series due to personal reasons, with KS Bharat announced as his replacement for the upcoming two-match series.

Adding to the team’s challenges, India’s opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad will be sidelined for the two-Test series due to a finger fracture sustained while attempting a catch during the second ODI against South Africa. The BCCI is yet to announce a replacement for the young batter.

The upcoming Test series marks the return of key players including Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and other members of India’s ODI World Cup squad. Since the heart-wrenching loss against Australia in the World Cup final, Kohli, Rohit, and other senior members of the Indian team have been on a cricket hiatus.

While the specific details of the ‘family emergency’ prompting Kohli’s early return remain undisclosed, there seems to be assurances from Kohli himself to the BCCI regarding his swift return before the Test series kicks off.

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk).

Amid the intense showdown between Virat Kohli and Naveen ul Haq during the IPL 2023, there was an unexpected twist. In a recent revelation on a podcast, Pakistan cricket team star Imam-ul-Haq shared that his teammate, Agha Ali Salman, took the initiative to ease tensions. Agha Ali Salman reached out to Virat Kohli on Instagram, urging him to take it easy after the viral spat, saying,

“Kohli, bacche easy ho ja. Kya ho gaya hai.”

The unexpected message adds a touch of camaraderie to the heated moment.

Contrary to expectations, the tension between Virat Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq took a heartwarming turn at the Cricket World Cup. The anticipated face-off during the India vs Afghanistan clash became a moment of beauty when Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq embraced each other, a scene that quickly went viral.

In an interview with Lucknow Super Giants, Naveen ul Haq shed light on how Kohli played a crucial role in settling their differences. Recounting the on-field spat, Naveen revealed,

“He said, ‘let’s finish it.’ I said, ‘Yes, let’s finish it.’ So we laughed about it, we hugged, and we moved on. He said, ‘Now after this, you won’t hear my name,’ and that, ‘You’ll only get support from the crowd.’ I said, ‘Yeah’ (smiles).”

Naveen’s account adds a touch of sportsmanship to the narrative, emphasizing the unity within the cricketing fraternity.

Naveen Ul Haq also acknowledged the unexpected support the Afghanistan cricket team received in India. Despite not getting support in one game against India in Delhi, he expressed gratitude for the home-like feeling received in every other match. The camaraderie extended beyond the players, as Indian cricket fans, following Kohli’s lead, cheered for Naveen during a Cricket World Cup match against England in New Delhi.

The unity and unexpected turn of events culminated in one of the most memorable Cricket World Cup shocks. Afghanistan’s remarkable 69-run victory against defending champions England was celebrated with resounding cheers from the crowd. This triumphant moment showcased the power of sports to transcend rivalries and unite fans in the spirit of the game.

Virat Kohli, like all members of the Indian team and millions of fans worldwide, felt devastated after Australia won the Cricket World Cup 2023 final. Despite Kohli’s outstanding performance with the bat and being named the player of the tournament, Australia’s victory prevented him from lifting the trophy. After Australia’s comfortable win led by Travis Head, Kohli, visibly heartbroken, sought comfort from his wife Anushka Sharma in the stands. The image of their embrace became widely shared on social media.

In the final, Kohli scored 54 runs off 63 balls before getting dismissed by Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins. Even his dismissal surprised the audience at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, leaving Anushka equally shocked.

Australia successfully chased a target of 241 runs, with Travis Head’s impressive 137 runs off 120 balls securing their 6th ODI World Cup title. Cummins praised his team’s performance, noting that they executed their plan perfectly to outdo the Indian side on the big occasion.

Kohli’s hope of winning the World Cup for the second time came to an end with this defeat. It remains uncertain whether he will participate in another ODI World Cup in the future.

Virat Kohli has now scored the highest number of centuries in ODI cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. In the Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Kohli hit his 50th ODI ton in 106 balls with 8 fours and a six. This achievement broke the tie with Sachin, who had 49 centuries. Kohli also set a World Cup record with eight fifty-plus scores in a single edition.

Most 50-plus scores in a World Cup edition:

8 – Virat Kohli (2023)
7 – Sachin Tendulkar (2003)
7 – Shakib Al Hasan (2019)
6 – Rohit Sharma (2019)
6 – David Warner (2019)

Moreover, Kohli secured another World Cup record by accumulating the most runs in a single edition.

Most runs in a single World Cup edition:

674* – Virat Kohli (2023)
673 – Sachin Tendulkar (2003)
659 – Matthew Hayden (2007)
648 – Rohit Sharma (2019)
647 – David Warner (2019)

In addition, Kohli’s exceptional performance contributed to India’s success in the tournament, where Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat against New Zealand in the semifinal. The match took place at Wankhede Stadium, where the team batting first had won three out of four previous games. Both India and New Zealand maintained an unchanged lineup for the crucial semifinal clash.

India : Rohit Sharma (capt), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer,Mohammed Siraj ,Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wkt), Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami.

New Zealand : Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (capt), Rachin Ravindra, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips,Tom Latham (wkt),  Trent Boult,Tim Southee, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee.

Virat Kohli attained an extraordinary feat on Wednesday by notching up his quinquagenarian century in One Day International cricket during the pivotal Cricket World Cup semi-final encounter against New Zealand at the esteemed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In a feat of exceptional brilliance, he shattered the previous record he held in tandem with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar; the record in question is for the most One Day International centuries. Kohli achieved the coveted milestone by registering a two-fold score off the bowling of New Zealand’s fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson, during the 44th over. Having achieved a century, he fervently paid tribute to Tendulkar; standing amidst the crowd. With a stunning display of skill and precision, Kohli gracefully brought his innings to a close in the 44th over; his extraordinary talent resulted in a remarkable total score of 117 off just 113 balls.

Not only did Kohli accomplish a significant personal feat, but he also went on to surpass Tendulkar’s record of 673 runs in the 2003 World Cup, becoming the highest scorer in a single edition of the tournament. In the exhilarating semi-final showdown with New Zealand, this extraordinary accomplishment unfolded. Throughout the duration of the tournament, Kohli unequivocally established himself as the preeminent accumulative scorer, surpassing the performances of both Quinton de Kock hailing from South Africa and Rachin Ravindra representing New Zealand.

After a staggering nine-match unbeaten streak that could easily be mistaken for a cricketing odyssey, India now stands at the precipice of enigma as they brace themselves to face New Zealand in the much-anticipated first semi-final clash at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai this Wednesday.

Rohit Sharma’s enigmatic ‘Men in Blue’ have cast a spell of bewilderment over the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Their stellar performance catapulted them to the zenith of the tournament standings, culminating the league stage with an astounding 18 points. The numerical riddle continues with a net run rate of 2.570, a cipher that has left cricket pundits scratching their heads in admiration.

India embarked on this cricketing quest with a triumph over Australia, setting the stage for an arcane journey. The labyrinthine narrative unfolded as they conquered Afghanistan, rival Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand (a precursor to the enigma at hand), England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. The crescendo reached a climax with a resounding 160-run victory over the Dutch side, maintaining an unblemished record in the ongoing enigma-laden tournament.

In the convoluted landscape of current player statistics, Virat Kohli emerges as the cryptic maestro, orchestrating his way to the top with an astonishing 1528 runs against New Zealand in the ODI format. Kohli’s tally, akin to a numerical labyrinth, spans 30 games, with his highest score of 154* adding an aura of enigma to his cricketing prowess.

Rohit Sharma, the enigmatic captain of the ‘Men in Blue,’ follows suit in second place with 935 runs in 28 matches against the Kiwis. His highest score, a cryptic 147, adds layers to the mystique surrounding India’s campaign.

The emergence of Shubman Gill, a young prodigy, in third place with 510 runs after nine matches against Kane Williamson’s side, adds a layer of youthful mystery to the enigma unfolding on the cricketing stage.

Shreyas Iyer, the middle-order maestro, steps into the enigmatic arena with 379 runs in seven matches against New Zealand, securing his place in the cryptic hierarchy. Iyer’s highest score of 103 runs further complicates the narrative.

The puzzle deepens with the inclusion of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who, after 13 matches, has scored 361 runs against the Kiwis, with his highest score a perplexing 77 runs.

In a mind-bending encounter against New Zealand in the 21st match of the ODI World Cup 2023, the ‘Men in Blue’ managed to clinch a four-wicket victory against the Kiwis. The cricketing puzzle unfolded with Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra orchestrating the Kiwi batting spectacle, setting an elusive target of 274 runs. Meanwhile, Indian speedster Mohammed Shami, akin to a cricketing sorcerer, conjured a five-wicket haul. The enigma continued with Kuldeep Yadav weaving his wicket-taking spells against New Zealand.

On the other side of the perplexity spectrum, Virat Kohli played a mystifying 95-run knock, propelling India to their fifth enigmatic triumph of the tournament.

As India steps into the semifinal enigma against New Zealand, the cricketing world is left in awe, pondering the intricate dance of numbers and performances that define this perplexing chapter in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid caught everyone’s attention during the Cricket World Cup 2023 match against the Netherlands. In Bengaluru on Sunday, the big screen displayed Dravid’s impressive batting performance from the 1999 World Cup. The live shot then captured Dravid in the dugout, wearing a big smile as he acknowledged the team’s praise in Bengaluru. Fans at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, including Virat Kohli, were amused by Dravid’s reaction.

The heartwarming video of Dravid’s reaction was shared by ICC on Instagram with the caption: “The Rahul Dravid reaction at the end.” In the same game, India secured a 160-run victory over the Netherlands, maintaining their perfect win record at the Cricket World Cup 2023.

Looking ahead, Dravid expressed confidence in his team’s “vibe and energy” as they prepare for the Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday. Reflecting on the 2019 semi-final loss to New Zealand, Dravid acknowledged the pressure but emphasized that the team’s approach and processes would remain consistent.

“After India’s convincing win over the Netherlands on Sunday,” Dravid stated, “I think we will be inauthentic if we say ‘it’s just another game.’ Yes, of course, it’s the semi-final, but I think our processes and what we have done in each and every game is not going to change. There is going to be a certain amount of pressure, but I think the way we have responded to the pressure so far gives us a lot of belief and a lot of confidence. I am confident about the vibe and energy in the group.”

In a breathtaking turn of events, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell unleashed an astounding unbeaten 201-run onslaught against Afghanistan, securing a spot for his team in the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-finals. The cricketing world is still abuzz with Maxwell’s electrifying performance at Wankhede Stadium.

Virat Kohli, who shares the cricket field with Maxwell as teammates at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, took to social media to express his awe at Maxwell’s phenomenal knock. Kohli, acknowledging Maxwell’s extraordinary talents, wrote,

“Only you could do this, freak @gmaxi_32,”

in an Instagram story.

Maxwell himself was not immune to the overwhelming response, taking to Twitter to express his gratitude:

“Pretty overwhelmed with all the Thank you so much to everyone that has sent messages. @patcummins30 was amazing out there! Sorry I knocked back a couple Time to get back to dad duties,” Maxwell wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

While Maxwell’s performance was outstanding, he did have a couple of close calls, notably when Afghan fielders, particularly Mujeeb ur Rahman, dropped him before he reached a half-century. Maxwell acknowledged that a flawless innings would have been ideal but expressed his pride in making the most of the opportunity.

“While fielding today, the scorching heat took me by surprise. I hadn’t acclimated to such conditions, and it got the better of me. I felt the need to pause and get my legs moving again. When asked about our plans at 92/7, I didn’t change much; I aimed to adhere to our batting strategies, maintain a positive mindset, and continue playing my shots. The LBW decision was a close call, with the ball just grazing above the stumps, prompting me to become more proactive. There was a subtle hint of swing and nip off the surface, particularly under the evening lights, and our opponents bowled brilliantly to exploit those conditions. While it would have been ideal for my innings to be without a blemish, I did have a couple of chances. Nevertheless, I take pride in capitalizing on those opportunities tonight. It’s truly amazing how, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. However, our team’s unwavering belief was always intact, and today’s performance has elevated that belief even higher,”

Maxwell shared during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Within the world of Indian cricket, the names of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli elicit hopes and dreams that span decades of supporters. They have been subjects of countless comparisons, a testament to their combined greatness. However, their impact on Indian sports extends far beyond mere statistics. They have consistently exceeded the expectations of a billion-plus population in their unique ways. Nevertheless, there are certain milestones that demand attention, like the one Virat Kohli achieved at the iconic Eden Gardens during a Cricket World Cup 2023 match against South Africa on Sunday.

At a venue where Sachin Tendulkar delivered many unforgettable performances, Virat Kohli emphatically matched a world record previously held by the cricketing legend. Sachin Tendulkar held the world record for 49 ODI centuries, a mark that Virat Kohli has now reached in 277 innings. He has an excellent chance of breaking this record in the current World Cup of cricket. It’s interesting to remember that Virat Kohli’s first ODI century came at Eden Gardens against Sri Lanka in 2009.

Virat Kohli has long been considered the worthy successor to Sachin Tendulkar in the Indian batting lineup. Over the past decade and a half, he has consistently lived up to these expectations, steering India to victory with his remarkable batting prowess. Sunday’s feat carries added significance for several reasons. Firstly, the attainment of 49 ODI centuries is a milestone that was once deemed unattainable until Sachin Tendulkar accomplished it. Now, two Indian cricket legends have achieved this extraordinary feat. Secondly, this statistical milestone reaffirms that Virat Kohli is unquestionably the rightful heir to Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy.

This century was Virat Kohli’s 79th in international cricket (including 29 in Tests and 1 in T20Is), and he reached the milestone during the 49th over of the match with a single off Kagiso Rabada.

In his own words, Virat Kohli expressed his thoughts on this journey:

“If we talk about cricket, I had never thought of achieving it all, as in where my career is and how God has blessed me with such a career span and performances. I had always dreamt I’d do this, but I never thought things would pan out this way exactly.” He added, “Nobody can plan these things, the way your journey is going, or the way things unfold in front of you. I hadn’t thought that I’d score so many centuries and so many runs in the last 12 years.”

Clearly, Virat Kohli’s journey into the world of cricket is destined to witness many more historic milestones.