After being retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a record-breaking amount of Rs 21 crore, Virat Kohli shared an emotional message for the franchise's fans, expressing his commitment to the team for the next three years. Kohli also revealed that his ultimate goal is to win the IPL title at least once in the upcoming cycle. RCB management, in the meantime, is exploring all options for the captaincy role after releasing Faf du Plessis, and also expressed their disappointment in not being able to retain Cameron Green due to injury.
Virat Kohli Retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Aims for IPL Title
Bengaluru, India - In a significant move, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has announced the retention of Virat Kohli, the former captain and star batsman, for an unprecedented sum of Rs 21 crore. This record-breaking retention has sent a strong message about RCB's commitment to building a winning team for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Kohli, who has led RCB for the past nine years, has been the heart and soul of the franchise. Despite the team's struggles to win an IPL title, Kohli has remained loyal and passionate about his association with RCB. In an emotional message to the fans, Kohli expressed his gratitude for their support and vowed to give his all to bring the coveted trophy to Bangalore.
"I have always said that RCB is like family to me," said Kohli. "I have shared some incredible moments with this team and with our amazing fans. I am excited about this new chapter and determined to contribute in every way I can to help RCB win the IPL."
RCB's Captaincy Options
With Kohli no longer serving as captain, RCB has begun exploring options for a new leader. Faf du Plessis, who captained RCB last season, was not retained by the franchise. As a result, the management is considering both internal and external candidates for the captaincy role.
Among the internal candidates, Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik are seen as potential options. Maxwell, the Australian all-rounder, has captained the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and is known for his aggressive style of play. Karthik, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has led several teams in the IPL and is known for his experience and composure.
Cameron Green's Injury
Another significant development for RCB is the absence of Cameron Green due to injury. The Australian all-rounder was expected to be a key player for the franchise, but he suffered a finger injury during the ongoing Test series against South Africa.
Green's absence will be a significant blow to RCB's plans, as he is one of the most promising young players in the world. The franchise is expected to explore alternative options to fill his role, either through the auction or via trades with other teams.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Virat Kohli and RCB
1. Why was Virat Kohli retained for such a high price? Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen in the world and is considered to be the face of Indian cricket. His retention is a testament to his value to RCB and their belief that he can lead the team to success.
2. Who will be the new captain of RCB? RCB is currently considering several candidates for the captaincy role, including Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik internally, and external candidates as well.
3. Why was Cameron Green not retained by RCB? Green suffered a finger injury during the ongoing Test series against South Africa, which forced him to withdraw from the IPL.
4. What are RCB's chances of winning the IPL title this season? RCB has a strong team with a good balance of experience and youth. They will be among the favorites to win the title this season, especially with Kohli leading the charge.
5. What is Virat Kohli's ultimate goal with RCB? Kohli's ultimate goal is to win the IPL title at least once in the upcoming cycle. He has expressed a deep desire to bring the trophy to Bangalore and end the team's long wait for success.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.
In the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025, India shakes up their playing XI as they drop Arshdeep Singh and make Hardik Pandya share the pace bowling duties with Jasprit Bumrah. The reason for Singh's exclusion is unclear, but it could be due to the team's preferred combination. Shubman Gill makes a comeback to the T20I squad, and Sanju Samson retains his spot in the team despite speculation. UAE, on the other hand, will rely on their experienced players to cause an upset.
Afghanistan successfully kicks off their Asia Cup campaign with a comfortable 94-run victory over Hong Kong. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai's explosive half centuries help Afghanistan reach a total of 188 for six. Hong Kong's chase is derailed by Afghanistan's strong bowling attack, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib taking two wickets each. Despite a valiant effort from Babar Hayat, Hong Kong falls short, struggling against Afghanistan's experienced bowlers.
Young Indian cricket sensation Shubman Gill marked his 26th birthday on Monday. Gill has become a popular figure in the Indian cricket team, recently being appointed as the Test team captain and also serving as the vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is. Wishes poured in from fans and fellow cricketers, with the BCCI, IPL team Gujarat Titans, and Punjab Cricket Association posting messages on social media. Gill's remarkable rise in the cricket world serves as an inspiration to young players everywhere.
The Indian men’s football team achieved their first-ever victory against higher-ranked West Asian rivals, Oman, by emerging victorious in the third-fourth place classification match of the CAFA Nations Cup. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but India ultimately won 3-2 on penalties, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu making critical saves and Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahul Bheke, and Jithin MS scoring for India. This marks a significant milestone for India, who have previously lost six out of nine matches against Oman since 2000.
Despite being ranked lower than most of their competitors and facing criticism for their defensive style of play, India's national football team secured a historic bronze medal at the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup with a thrilling 3-2 penalty shootout win over Oman. Head coach Khalid Jamil's first assignment proved to be a success, with the team showcasing their defensive prowess and their ability to capitalize on chaos in the opposition's half. However, their struggles in the final third were evident, as missed opportunities and gaps in communication led to a goalless first half and a close call for Oman. With this achievement, India solidifies its position as a rising force in international football and gives hope for a brighter future for the sport in the country.
As Shubman Gill turns 26, it's hard not to marvel at the teenage prodigy's meteoric rise in the world of cricket. From being identified as a prodigy by Rahul Dravid to becoming an integral member of the Indian cricket team across formats, Gill has made waves with his elegant batting style. His achievements, including being India's highest run-scorer in the U19 World Cup and his crucial knock of 91 in India's historic Gabba chase, prove that he is a promising talent to watch out for in the future.