Virat Kohli to take a break from white-ball games on South Africa tour; to be available for Tests: Report

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Virat Kohli To Take A Break From White-Ball Games On South Africa Tour; To Be...

Virat Kohli To Take A Break From White-Ball Games On South Africa Tour; To Be Available For Tests

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Talismanic India batter Virat Kohli, who was leading run-getter of 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and was named Player of the Tournament, is reportedly taking a break from white-ball cricket, but he will be available for the two Tests on the upcoming tour of South Africa.

New Delhi, Nov 29: Talismanic India batter Virat Kohli, who was leading run-getter of 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and was named Player of the Tournament, is reportedly taking a break from white-ball cricket, but he will be available for the two Tests on the upcoming tour of South Africa.

A report in The Indian Express says Kohli, 35, told the BCCI that he won't be available for white-ball matches on the tour of South Africa, which start off with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-game ODI series. The tour will end with Boxing Day and New Year Tests at Centurion and Cape Town respectively.

“He (Kohli) has informed the BCCI and selectors that he needs a break from white-ball cricket and he will get back to them about when he wants to play white ball cricket next. At the moment he has informed the BCCI that he will be playing red-ball cricket, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa,” a source was quoted as saying in the report.

Kohli had a superb Men’s ODI World Cup at home, amassing 765 runs in 11 innings, including three hundreds and surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for the most number of ODI centuries by a batter and is currently on a holiday in London. Before the World Cup, Kohli and Rohit Sharma were granted a break from first two ODIs against Australia in September, with the duo returning for the final game of the series in Rajkot.

The report added that there is no clarity yet on skipper Rohit being available for white-ball matches on the tour of South Africa starting from December 10. Like Kohli, Rohit is on a break in the United Kingdom post the World Cup. The report further said BCCI secretary Jay Shah will be speaking soon to Rohit and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to discuss the future roadmap of the Indian team.

(IANS)

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Not Coach, It's Really About Indian Cricket, Says Manjrekar As Gambhir Takes Charge

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

New Delhi, July 27: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said it is not about the coach but Indian cricket that won the four World Cups for the country.

Manjrekar's statement comes at a time when Gautam Gambhir assumed the duties of India head coach for the Sri Lanka tour after the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure.

Under Dravid's mentorship, India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados and ended their 11-year-long ICC title drought. India also came close on two occasions previously when they lost in the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final against Australia last year.

"No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten & Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 & 2023. It’s really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation," Manjrekar wrote on X.

Gambhir's first coaching assignment will begin in Sri Lanka later in the day as Suryakumar Yadav-led India will take on hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series in Pallekele.

(IANS)

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Raj & DK To Bring Action Fantasy Drama 'Rakt Bramhand'; Call It 'Uncharted Territory'

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Mumbai, July 27: Filmmaker duo Raj & DK are gearing up to bring their first action-fantasy series, 'Rakt Bramhand - The Bloody Kingdom', which they describe as 'uncharted territory', making it all the more thrilling for them.

The makers took to social media and shared the announcement, dropping an intriguing poster featuring a massive bejeweled throne with blood spots.

The post was captioned: "We've got BIGGGGG news that'll stir your blood! We're pumped to announce our first ever action-fantasy series... now filming."

The series promises a gripping, edgy narrative set against the backdrop of a fantastical kingdom, complete with bloody action and spectacular visuals.

For this project, Raj & DK have partnered with director Rahi Anil Barve and long-time collaborator Sita R. Menon, under their production company, D2R Films.

In a statement, Raj & DK said: "This is uncharted territory, which makes it all the more thrilling for us. Our goal is to develop a fictional world that is both original and reminiscent of the fantastical tales we have heard in our childhood."

"We are having an amazing time working with the very talented Rahi and our uber versatile partner Sita to bring this unique vision to life. Working with Netflix has been excellent, and we have their enthusiastic support to back the unconventional vision for Rakt Bramhand," they added.

Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, added: "After the outstanding success of the genre-bending 'Guns & Gulaabs', we're thrilled to team up with the masterful duo of Raj & DK for another defining series. 'Rakt Bramhand - The Bloody Kingdom' will be Netflix India’s first-ever mega action-fantasy series and is set to redefine the genre by combining grand-scale action with a thrilling storyline."

The announcement of the official cast will be made soon by the makers. 'Rakt Bramhand - The Bloody Kingdom' will be streaming on Netflix soon.

(IANS)

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"How So Fun": Team India Enjoy Fielding Drills Ahead Of 1st T20I Against Sri Lanka, Watch Video

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Bhubaneswar, July 27: Gautam Gambhir is all set to kick off his tenure as Team India head coach Saturday when the Men in Blue take the field against hosts Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series.

Gambhir has succeeded Indian great Rahul Dravid, who finished his stint as the head coach in style -- winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados last month. Dravid congratulated his former India teammate on his new innings as the head coach through an emotional message.

The Indian players, on the other hand, are enjoying their time on the field at Kandy ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka.

The official instagram handle of Indian cricket team has shared a video where fielding coach T Dilip is seen giving special instructions to players during thei fielding drills. And the players are taking the assignment as a fun activity to improve their 'direct hit' skills before some catching practice.

The video is captioned, "Hey you fielding drill - How so fun.. Quite a vibe in the group in this fun session at Kandy."

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The video shows that Dilip has set three targets having different points to hit for the players from a certain distance. Gambhir is seen enjoying the activity with a smile on his face.

Newly-appointed T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav can be seen getting casual with teammates, including his Mumbai Indians team captain Hardik Pandya. Pandya was widely speculated to succeed Rohit Sharma as the T20I skipper after the latter's retirement. However, Gambhir and BCCI decided to go with Yadav for the role considering Pandya's consistant injury issues.

Keep aside the captaincy part, the disappointment may still be there in Pandya's heart, but on the field he is sharing laughs, enjoying the practice sessions and must be eager to give his 100 percent.

Virat Kohli to take a break from white-ball games on South Africa tour; to be available for Tests: Report

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