'Can't Practice With Franchise': Ex-KKR Star Blasts Shreyas Iyer, Drops 'Unless You're Virat Kohli' Comment

07.03.2024 - 10:49 sports.ndtv.com

The debate around the axing of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan by the BCCI from its central contract is not ending anytime soon.

The duo got penalized after they missed their respective state team's Ranji Trophy games. There were some reports which suggested that after missing domestic cricket, Iyer attended the practice session of his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders.

This news reportedly irked selectors, which led to Iyer's exclusion from the central contract. Recently, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg lashed out at the KKR skipper for not showing up for the state team.

Hogg, who was also a part of KKR in 2016, stated that a player needs to be like Virat Kohli, if he needs a break from domestic cricket. "If you have time to play domestic cricket, you have to do that.

cricket Australia Cricket Team India Cricket Team Kolkata Knight Riders Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar Shreyas Iyer Ishan Kishan Australia India

The 'comeback man' Virat Kohli gave a fine example of his credentials in the shortest format of the game, scoring a 77-run knock against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match on Monday. Kohli wasn't just prolific with the bat but also entertained everyone with his on-field antics. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) man was involved in a cheeky banter with Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shikhar Dhawan. Kohli's comments were caught on the stump mic while he was batting for the Bengaluru franchise.

Watch: Virat Kohli Dances, Issues Warning With Cheeky Antics Before Presentation Ceremony

Virat Kohli isn't just a marketable name to promote T20 cricket. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener reaffirmed that "he's still got the game" in him. While Virat Kohli's 77-run knock against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match proved he still has got what it takes to deliver in the T20 spectrum, his post-match comments in the presentation ceremony were even more powerful. But, what Kohli did right before the presentation ceremony has fans in splits.

"Shahid Afridi With Brains": Navjot Singh Sidhu's Sensational Praise For KKR Star In IPL 2024

Former Indian cricket team batter Navjot Singh Sidhu is well known for his witty comments and this time, he came up with a sensational praise for Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer. Sidhu was all praise for the India batter and he said that Shreyas is like "Shahid Afridi with brains". Shreyas will be leading KKR in the IPL 2024 and it will be the perfect opportunity for him to prove his mettle against quality opponents after being snubbed for the BCCI central contracts. Sidhu went on to say that he does not see Shreyas playing in the first gear and lauded his ability to adapt to situation while batting.

"It's Been A While": Virat Kohli Catches Up With MS Dhoni Ahead Of IPL 2024 Opener

Ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season opener, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli opened up on their clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and said that it would be "good" to catch up with the legendary cricketer MS Dhoni. Kohli is the highest run-getter in IPL of all time. In 237 matches and 229 innings, the India talisman batter has scored 7263 runs at an average of 37.24, with a strike rate of 130.02. His best score is 113. He has scored seven centuries, most by a batter, and 50 fifties in his IPL career.

"The Longer You Bat, The Game Opens Up": Matthew Hayden's 'Virat Kohli' Warning To CSK Ahead Of IPL 2024 Opener

Virat Kohli can be the most dangerous if he gets to bat long and Chennai Super Kings will need to get him out early on a tricky Chepauk pitch during the IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said former Australia opener Matthew Hayden. Kohli will be returning to action at the IPL after a paternity break which saw him miss the five-Test series against England at home. The much-awaited T20 extravaganza will kick off with a clash between CSK and RCB at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

"I've Been On The Opposition When He...": Steve Smith On Virat Kohli's T20 World Cup Selection

Does Virat Kohli have a future in India's T20 World Cup team? While experts may differ over the batting stalwart's future in the shortest format of the game, veteran Australia batter Steve Smith only had good things to say. Sharing his own experience of being in the opponent teams as Virat Kohli produced some of his finest performances, Smith revealed how Kohli tends to excel under pressure and deliver masterclass performances time and again. For Smith, there's no doubt that Kohli remains one of the finest batters in the world.