Page 52 - Cricket

Virat Kohli refutes reports of his enormous earnings from social media

Star batter Virat Kohli on Saturday refuted reports that floated in social media, claiming that he earned a mindboggling Rs 11.4 crore per single sponsored post through Instagram. A report by instagram scheduling tool Hopper HQ, tagged as Instagram Rich List 2023, placed Kohli's income from per post on the meta platform over Rs 11 crore, which the former Indian captain termed "not true." "While I am grateful and indebted to all that I've received in life, the news that has been making rounds about my social media earnings is not true, Kohli wrote on his Twitter handle. Along with Kohli, Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra's name too figured in the Hopper list, which was topped by football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo (around Rs 26 crore per post) and Lionel Messi (around Rs 21 crore per post). Kohli, who has around 256 million followers on Instagram, is on the 14th place in the list, while Chopra sits on the 29th place. Kohli was earlier featured in this Insta Rich list back in 2019 an

Pujara hits another ton as Sussex trumps Somerset in high-scoring tie

Cheteshwar Pujara's love affair with the English summer continued as he scored his second List A ton in three games to guide Sussex to a comfortable four-wicket victory over Somerset in an One Day Cup game. Pujara anchored a 319-run chase with an unbeaten 117 off 113 balls to take Sussex home with 11 balls to spare on Friday. Pujara's ton, however, did not bring about any change in Sussex's position in the group table as they remained at the bottom of group B among nine teams after notching up their first win in this year's competition. Pujara, who last played for India in World Test Championship final before being dropped for the subsequent tour of West Indies, has been in prime form for the better part of the last two County season for Sussex where he has scored in both first-class and List A games. In fact, Pujara joined Sussex for the reminder of the season after completing his Duleep Trophy assignment for the West Zone. For someone, who is considered a red-ball specialist, Pu

Asia Cup 2023: Bangladesh announce squad, Tanzid Hasan replaces Tamim Iqbal

Opener Tanzid Hasan received his first call-up to the national team as the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup on Saturday. He will be considered along with Mohammad Naim as one of the two opening spots vacated by Tamim Iqbal after Tamim was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a back njury. Tanzid has been brilliant in the last couple of years and has played tremendously well in the recently concluded Emerging Asia Cup, BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin said. He is an attacking opener and could put up runs briskly. We have high hopes on him. Veteran Mahmudullah, who was dropped after the ODI series against England in March, continued to be overlooked despite being called into the fitness camp. There was long discussion regarding Mahmudullah, Abdein said. Team management has given a future plan. So considering all the factors, we have to exclude Mahmudullah. The Asia Cup starts on Aug. 30. Bangladesh, drawn in Group B, will play its first match again

Not True, says star batter Virat Kohli on reported social media earnings

Star India batter Virat Kohli on Saturday clarified that a report of his earnings from his official Instagram handle is "not true".With around 256 million followers, Kohli is one of India's and the world's popular sportspersons in terms of his online presence.He often updates fans about his life and cricket through pictures/videos that potray him of sweating it out in nets or matches, pictures with his wife Anushka Sharma, who is a Bollywood actress and inspires many through the pictures and videos of his tough fitness regime. This popularity makes him an extremely dependable face for various brands and Kohli is often involved in brand promotions/advertisements on his social media pages. The earnings through these promotional posts has always been a curiosity for his fans.Recent media reports suggested that he had made crores of rupees -ranging from Rs 9 crore to Rs 15 crore per post through his social media accounts.On Saturday, Kohli took to 'X' (formerly known as Twitter) to post, .

Pak cricket team at ICC World Cup to be treated like any other team: MEA

India on Friday said the Pakistani cricket team will be treated just like any other squad participating in the upcoming ICC World Cup in the country. India is hosting the tournament from October 5. "The Pakistan cricket team will be treated just like the cricket team of any other country participating in the ICC World Cup," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. On Pakistan seeking better security for its team, he said the questions should be better directed towards the security agencies or the organisers. "Of course, we would hope that all necessary security will be provided not just to them but to all other participating teams." "I hope that there is a good match and I hope this is not war as it seems to be made out to," Bagchi said when asked about Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's reported comments that Islamabad does not mix sports with politics and that was the reason why it decided to send the team to the tournament and defeat India in

ICC World Cup 2023: Renovation works in full swing at M Chinnaswamy Stadium

Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has undertaken the renovation works that are essential prior to the quadrennial extravaganza that is being played across October and November. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five matches during the World Cup. "After the ICC team's inspection a few days back, we have started the required renovation works such as refurbishing the stands, placing some new seats and renewing the toilets in the stadium. "Our aim is to arrange the best possible facilities in the stadium, and as it is we have top-class facilities here at the venue," said Raghuram Bhatt, the KSCA president, on Thursday after a function to unveil the KSCA Maharaja Trophy T20 trophy. Bengaluru will host Australia vs Pakistan (October 20), England vs Sri Lanka (October 26), New Zealand vs Pakistan (November 4), New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (November 9) and India vs Netherlands (November 12) matches during the World Cup. The ICC had recently

Prithvi Shaw hits double century for Northamptonshire in 50-over match

Out-of-favour India opener Prithvi Shaw returned to form in style with a 153-ball 244 for Northamptonshire in England's One-Day Cup tournament against Somerset here on Wednesday. The 23-year-old, who is playing in his maiden county season, smashed 28 fours and 11 sixes en route to his second List A double century. This was his ninth List A century, and first since his 165 against Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinal when he led Mumbai to lift the title in 2020-21. Playing his third game for the Northamptonshire, Shaw reached his maiden hundred for the side off 81 balls. He then cruised to the 200-run mark off just 129 balls with the help of 24 fours and eight sixes to power Northamptonshire to 415/8 after they opted to bat. The Mumbai batter had struck an unbeaten 227 against Puducherry in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2021 for his maiden List A double hundred. After a bright start to his career, Shaw has now slipped down India's pecking order. Shaw, who had scor

NADA Test: Ravindra Jadeja most tested Indian cricketer till now in 2023

Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja gave dope samples thrice between January and May this year, making him the most tested cricketer during this period, according to data released by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Altogether 55 cricketers (male and female, 58 samples) underwent dope testing in the first five months of this year, with more than half of the samples taken 'Out Of Competition' (OOC), according to a recent list put up by the NADA on its website. This meant that the number of samples collected from cricketers this year is expected to be much more than the previous two years. According to the data, the NADA had collected 54 and 60 samples respectively from the cricketers in 2021 and 2022 respectively. India captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli were not tested during the first five months of 2023. Hardik Pandya, who has been leading the India T20 International side for some time, underwent one test -- 'Out Of Competition' (OOC) urine sample in ...

Pakistan's Asia Cup 2023 squad: Faheem Ashraf, Tayyib Tahir surprise picks

While Tayyib Tahir was rewarded for his performance in the recently concluded Emerging Teams Asia Cup final against India. Fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been called back

Manoj Tiwary reverses retirement to give 'one more try' to win Ranji Trophy

Less than a week after he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, former India batter Manoj Tiwary on Tuesday said he has decided to reverse his decision and wants to give "one more try" to win the elusive Ranji Trophy title with Bengal. Two-time champions Bengal have reached the Ranji final twice in the last three seasons, but they are yet to replicate the success of 1989-90. The Tiwary-led Bengal were overwhelming favourites to win the title at home last season, but Saurashtra defeated them by nine wickets in a repeat of the outcome of the 2019-20 season's final. "It was a proud moment for me to captain Bengal to the final last season. I want to give it one more try before leaving," Tiwary told a media conference at the Eden Gardens. "I'm coming out of retirement for one last year. Bengal cricket has given me everything. I want to give it a last try, be it as a player or captain. "Next year, there will not be any more U-turn. I want to give one more year to Bengal ..

Who is Tanveer Sangha? Indian-origin leggie in Aussie provisional WC squad

Tanveer Singh burst onto the scene with 15 wickets in the 2020 U-19 World Cup and then earned an Australia senior team call-up after a 21-wicket BBL season in 2020-21

BCCI cuts base price of title sponsor rights to Rs 2.4 crore per match

The period covering the title sponsor rights will kick off in September and end in August 2026

India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I: Live streaming, squad, and pitch report

India faces off against West Indies in the third T20I today at 8 pm IST. West Indies is currently leading the five-match series 2-0, and India is finding ways to stay alive in the series

Inzamam-ul-Haq re-appointed as chief selector of Pakistan cricket team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday re-appointed the legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq as its chief selector, bringing back the former skipper for the role for a second term. Inzamam, 53, had earlier held the position of chief selector between 2016 and 2019. The 1992 World Cup winner had given his consent last week to become a paid selector. Inzamam has played 120 Tests, making 8830 runs at an average of 49.60 with 25 hundreds and 46 fifties. From 378 ODIs, Inzamam amassed 11739 runs at 39.52 with 10 centuries and 83 fifties. He had also played a lone T20I for his country. In his latest role as the chief selector, Inzamam will succeed Haroon Rasheed who stepped down last month. Some very important assignments are in front of Inzamam as his primary task will be to name Pakistan squad for the 50-over World Cup to be held in India across October and November. It may be recalled that Inzamam had picked Pakistan squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 as well. Now, the fate would have him dra

When Pervez Musharraf told Lakshmipathy Balaji, 'You are a great soldier"

Lakshmipathy Balaji turned out to be the cynosure of all eyes during the Indian cricket team's tour of Pakistan in 2004 with his on-field exploits so much so that the then president Gen Pervez Musharraf saluted his spirit and hailed him as a great soldier fighting bravely for the team. He was also cheered by girls when he visited the Wagah border and by a group of students at Lahore University, recalls cricket administrator Amrit Mathur, who was the team's media manager, in his memoir "Pitchside: My Life in Cricket". In the book, Mathur brings alive insightful first-person accounts of some of Indian cricket's most memorable moments with anecdotes, events and matches. In the 2004 tour, India and Pakistan played five one-day international matches and three Tests. India won the ODI series 3-2 and the Test series 2-1. After the second ODI in Rawalpindi, which India lost by 12 runs, Musharraf hosted a reception for the teams at the presidential palace in Islamabad. "The players are tol

Pakistan board mulls sending psychologist with team to India for WC 2023

Ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is exploring the possibility of sending a psychologist with the squad to India to cope with the pressures of the high-profile tournament. However, a final decision in this regard will be taken only after PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf's meeting the captain Babar Azam. Azam is currently playing for Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Zaka is a big believer that having a psychologist with the players will help them, especially when they are not performing well or feeling external pressures of a tour to India, said a PCB official. He said the presence of a psychologist is imperative for Pakistan since they are visiting India for the first time since 2016. When Zaka Ashraf was Chairman (of PCB) he had got a well-known psychologist Maqbool Babri to work with the players and he also went with them to India in 2012/13, said the official. The official said the Pakistan players had sessions with a sports psycholog

Inzamam set to take over as Pakistan team chief selector, says PCB source

Former Test captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is set to take over as Pakistan team chief selector even as director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn will know by next week whether they will remain part of the national selection committee. A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Inzamam has given his consent to becoming a paid chief selector again after he held the position between 2016 and 2019. The Cricket Technical Committee members including Misbah ul Haq, Inzamam and Muhammad Hafeez have been discussing the new selection committee and it is yet to be decided whether Arthur and Bradburn should remain members on it, the source told PTI. He said Misbah would make his recommendation to the board chairman Zaka Ashraf after taking point of view of captain Babar Azam on whether the experiment of having the team director and head coach on the selection panel has been beneficial for the team. Once Babar's views are taken, the Cricket Technical Committee will also finalize i

BCCI expecting to breach $1 bn mark from selling home media rights

The Indian cricket board is expecting to breach the USD 1 billion (INR 8200 crore approx) mark in its cumulative earnings from selling the separate TV and digital rights for India's 88 home games during the five-year period till March 2028. The highlight of this new cycle will be 21 home games against Australia (five Tests, 6 ODIs and 10 T20Is) along with 18 games against England (10 Tests, 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is) out of the 25 Tests, 27 ODIs and 36 T20Is. During the last five-year phase (2018-23), the BCCI had earned USD 944 million (INR 6138 crore approx in 2018 exchange rate) from Star India with a price per international game being Rs 60 crore (digital plus TV). Unlike last time, the BCCI will invite separate bids for TV and digital rights after a whopping INR 48,390 crore earning during the IPL media rights auction where Reliance won the digital bid and Star won the TV rights. The bidding process will once again be conducted through e-auction just like it happened with the IPL med

BCCI issues media rights tender for domestic, international matches

In 2018, Disney Star retained the BCCI media rights by paying Rs 6,138 crore for the five-year cycle (2018-23)

BCCI invites applications for India Women's bowling and fielding coaches

The BCCI on Wednesday invited applications for the post of India women's bowling and fielding coach even as the appointment of a head coach is yet to be finalised. The Indian women's team has been without a full-time head coach as Nooshin Al Khadeer had carried out the responsibility as an interim coach during their last assignment an away series against Bangladesh last month. According to a release from the BCCI, the role of both bowling and fielding coaches will be for a period of two years and those selected will be reporting to the head coach. It was reported by PTI early last month that domestic batting stalwart Amol Muzmdar has been recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) as their pick for the head coach's role. Among the requirements for the job of both bowling and fielding coaches is to have represented India or any other country at international level. The Indian women's team will be next seen in action during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China to be held fro