Sports Archives - Page 24 of 26

22 Mar

RCB Dominate IPL 2025 Opener with a Crushing Win Over KKR

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsAjinkya Rahane, IPL 2025, Krunal Pandya, Phil Salt, RCB vs KKR, Virat Kohli

(National Times Bureau), March 22, 2025: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) started their IPL 2025 campaign in style, thrashing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets in the tournament opener. Led by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, RCB chased down the 175-run target with ease, finishing the match with 22 balls to spare at Eden Gardens.Kohli and Salt set the tone early, smashing 80 runs in the powerplay. Their aggressive strokeplay left KKR bowlers searching for answers. Salt raced to a half-century before falling, while Kohli anchored the chase with his own fifty. Rajat Patidar contributed with a quickfire 34, and…

17 Mar

“I Don’t Want to Sulk Alone”: Kohli Stands by Family Support on Tours

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsBCCI, Champions Trophy, cricket tours, players' families, Virat Kohli

New Delhi, Match 17, 2025– Star batter Virat Kohli has backed the presence of players’ families during cricket tours, saying it helps players handle intense on-field pressure better. Kohli expressed his preference for family support over being alone in a hotel room after tough matches.Following India's 1-3 Test series loss to Australia, the BCCI issued a directive limiting family time on tours exceeding 45 days to 14 days. For shorter tours, players’ wives, children, or girlfriends could stay with them for a maximum of one week. During the Champions Trophy in Dubai, Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami had their…

10 Mar

Rohit Sharma Dismisses Retirement Rumors, Dedicates Champions Trophy Win to India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsICC Champions Trophy 2025, India Champions Trophy Win, India vs New Zealand Final, Rohit Sharma

Dubai, March 10, 2025 – Indian captain Rohit Sharma has put an end to speculations about his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), stating that he has no immediate plans to step away from the format.Following India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final, Rohit made it clear that he is here to stay. "Not Quitting ODIs Anytime Soon" At the post-match press conference, Rohit firmly dismissed rumors about his future.“I am not going to retire from this format. Going forward, please don’t spread rumors,” he stated after his match-winning 76 helped India lift the trophy.When…

09 Mar

India Triumphs in Champions Trophy Final Against New Zealand

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsChampions Trophy 2025 Final, Daryl Mitchell, India vs New Zealand, Rohit Sharma

Dubai, March 9, 2025 – In a thrilling finale at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand by four wickets. New Zealand Sets a Competitive Target Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a total of 251-7. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 63 runs, while Michael Bracewell added an unbeaten 53. India's bowlers, particularly their spinners, were effective in restricting runs and taking crucial wickets. India's Steady Chase In response, India reached 254-6 in 49 overs. Captain Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role with a vital 76 runs. The chase faced some tension,…

08 Mar

India Eyes Champions Trophy Glory, Faces Familiar New Zealand Hurdle

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsICC Champions Trophy final, India vs New Zealand, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli

Dubai, March 8, 2025: India is set to take on New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final on Sunday, aiming to reclaim the title after 12 years. However, history suggests it won’t be an easy task. New Zealand has traditionally been a tough opponent, holding a 10-6 advantage over India in ICC tournaments and a 3-1 edge in knockout matches. Overcoming the Kiwis remains one of India’s biggest challenges on the global stage.Concerns had been raised over New Zealand’s extended stay in Dubai, with critics claiming it gave them an unfair advantage. However, that argument now holds little weight,…

04 Mar

Kohli Leads India to Champions Trophy Final with Win Over Australia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsChampions Trophy semifinal, India vs Australia, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli

March 4, 2025 – Virat Kohli’s masterful 84-run knock guided India to a four-wicket victory over Australia, securing a spot in the Champions Trophy final.Batting first, Australia posted 264 before being bowled out in 49.3 overs. Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61) led the charge, with contributions from Travis Head (39) and Marnus Labuschagne (29). For India, Mohammed Shami (3/38) was the standout bowler, while Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) also chipped in.Chasing 265, India’s top order held firm. Kohli’s 98-ball 84 anchored the innings, supported by Shreyas Iyer (45), KL Rahul (42), and Hardik Pandya (28).…

03 Mar

Congress Spokesperson Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Rohit Sharma

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsRohit Sharma

New Delhi (National Times): Congress national spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed has sparked controversy with her remarks about Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness and leadership. In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), she described Sharma as "fat" and called him "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had." Political Reactions and Criticism Her comments were met with widespread criticism, particularly from members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a dig at the Congress party, stating, "Those who have lost 90 elections under the captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling Rohit Sharma’s captaincy unimpressive!"…

02 Mar

India Defeats New Zealand by 44 Runs to Top Group A in Champions Trophy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsChampions Trophy 2025, India vs New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy

Dubai, March 3, 2025 – India secured a dominant 44-run victory over New Zealand on Sunday to finish as Group A toppers in the Champions Trophy. With this win, India will now face Australia in the first semifinal, while New Zealand will take on South Africa in Lahore. Iyer Leads India's Batting Effort Batting first, India posted 249/9 in their 50 overs. Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a well-crafted 79 off 98 balls, marking his second consecutive half-century in the tournament. Hardik Pandya (45) and Axar Patel (42) provided crucial middle-order contributions, but Matt Henry’s brilliant 5/42 kept India…

24 Feb

Virat Kohli’s Pakistan Domination Continues – ‘Just Wake Him Up for the Match’

nishuthapar10 CommentsSportsVirat Kohli

New Delhi (National Times): Virat Kohli has once again left Pakistan reeling with another match-winning performance, reinforcing his status as their biggest nightmare in ICC tournaments. Even before India’s latest victory, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had predicted Kohli’s impact, stating:"You just have to tell Virat that there’s a match against Pakistan, and he will wake up from his slumber." Akhtar’s words proved prophetic. Kohli, who had struggled for form in the lead-up to the match, produced a stellar innings, reminding everyone why he is one of the greatest match-winners in modern cricket. His dominance over Pakistan began in…

23 Feb

Virat Kohli Breaks Azharuddin’s Record for Most Catches in ODIs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsChampions Trophy 2025, Most Catches, Virat Kohli

Dubai, February 23, 2025 – Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has etched his name in history yet again, becoming the Indian fielder with the most catches in ODI cricket. He surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin’s tally of 156 during India's Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan in Dubai. Kohli’s Record-Breaking Moment The historic milestone came in the 47th over when Kohli took a sharp low catch to dismiss Naseem Shah off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling. That catch marked his 157th in ODIs, moving him past Azharuddin. He wasn’t done yet—just a few overs later, he took another clean catch at deep mid-wicket off Harshit…