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If Virat Kohli gets a fifty in the very first game, mouths will be shut for the rest of the tournament: Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri has claimed that if talismanic India batter Virat Kohli gets a fifty in the side's match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on August 28, then the mouths of critics will be quiet for the rest of the tournament. If he features in India's Asia Cup opener against Pakistan, dubbed as the 'greatest rivalry' in cricketing world, it will also mark Kohli's 100th T20I appearance. Kohli returns to the Indian team for the Asia Cup in T20I format, having last featured for the national team during the tour of England in July. He was then rested for white-ball tour of West Indies and ODIs against Zimbabwe. Kohli has been in a prolonged lean patch, having not scored a century in international cricket since November 2019.

Virat Kohli is tired and running out of time, says former Zimbabwe all-rounder Dirk Viljoen

Virat Kohli will be back in action at the upcoming Asia Cup. It's fair to say that most, if not all, eyes will be on Kohli, who was rested for the tours of West Indies and Zimbabwe. The upcoming Asia Cup, starting August 27, in many ways will be a testing ground for the selectors to assess Indian talent ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. The million dollar question is - if Virat doesn't come good with the bat with consistent high scores etc, will his spot in the T20 World Cup squad be in danger? WHAT THE NUMBERS SAYKohli hasn't scored an international century since November 2019, but it would be incorrect and unfair to say that he hasn't been among the runs for his team. Kohli, who has 23,726 international runs in 463 matches (ODIs, Tests, and T20Is), is fourth on the list of Indian Test run getters, since his last international century, after Rishabh Pant (1369 runs in 20 matches), Cheteshwar Pujara (1052 runs in 21 matches) and Rohit Sharma (996 runs in 13 matches). Kohli in this period has played 18 Tests (since November 2019) and scored 872 runs at an average of 27.25, including 6 fifties.

Watch: For Jasprit Bumrah, "No Hurdle Big Enough" In New Rehab Video

India will be playing against Pakistan in the much-awaited Asia Cup 2022 clash on August 28. One player who will be badly missed in the high-octane encounter is Jasprit Bumrah. It is worth-noting that the pacer, who has been the spearhead of India's bowling line-up, will miss the continental event due to a back injury. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and making sure that he leaves no stone unturned in getting back to his best in terms of fitness as soon as possible.

Sikandar Raza - The Zimbabwean cricketer who almost denied India a 3-0 series win

With 15 needed off 9 balls, Raza, who scored a brilliant 115 off 95 balls, looked to heave Shardul over long-on but failed to connect. Shubman Gill, who was fielding towards long on, ran, dived and plucked a blinder to show Raza the way back to the pavillion. Raza's knock was studded with nine fours and three maximums. He almost won the game for the men in red. Shubman, who was adjudged Man of the Match in the third ODI for his astonishing 130 off 97 balls, including 15 fours and 1 six, rushed to a departing Raza and gave him a pat on his back. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 276, which handed India a 13-run win over the hosts and a 3-0 clean sweep victory. Born in Sialkot (in Pakistan) in 1986, Raza was Zimbabwe's highest-run getter in the match and the third overall in the three-match ODI series. He scored 143 runs in 3 matches at an average of 47.67. The 36-year-old Raza, who made his international debut in 2013 vs Bangladesh in Bulawayo, has played 17 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 58 T20Is for Zimbabwe, scoring 1187, 3626, and 1040 runs, respectively.

"On Right Track, But...": Former Pakistan Captain On Virat Kohli-Babar Azam Comparisons

Asia Cup 2022 is just around the corner and fans are eagerly waiting for the group stage clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai on August 28. It would be interesting to see how both teams perform. Ahead of the tournament, Pakistan were given a body blow as Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the tournament and the PCB named Mohammad Hasnain as his replacement. India would be without Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel but the regular stars such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya will all be back.

Watch: Kuldeep Yadav, Ishan Kishan's Heartwarming Gesture For Sikandar Raza During 3rd ODI

Sikandar Raza garnered a lot of applause as he scored a century for Zimbabwe while chasing a mammoth target of 290 against India in the third and final ODI of the three-match series on Monday at Harare. With Shubman Gill's maiden international century, the KL Rahul-led side posted 289/8 in 50 overs. It was then, Raza took the matter into his hands to smash 115 and leave Zimbabwe needing 17 runs off 12 balls for victory. But, India had the last laugh as he was caught by Gill in the penultimate over, who took a fantastic catch to dismiss Raza. Apart from the brilliant catch, the cricket fans all-over the world, got to witness a heartfelt moment when Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav came to laud Raza after his dismissal.

Team India Coach Rahul Dravid Tests Positive For COVID-19

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19, the Indian cricket board confirmed on Tuesday. "Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team's departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report. The rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23rd August, 2022," BCCI stated in an official release.

ICC Men's ODI Rankings: India Static On Third, Pakistan At Fourth

A clean sweep of Zimbabwe helped India maintain their third spot in the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings, released here on Tuesday. India now have 111 rating points on the back of the 3-0 series win in Harare. Pakistan too was rewarded for their recent series sweep against the Netherlands. The Babar Azam-led side eked out a hard-fought victory by a similar 3-0 in their Cricket World Cup Super League series, moving to 107 rating points and fourth in the standing.

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If Virat Kohli gets a fifty in the very first game, mouths will be shut for the rest of the tournament: Ravi Shastri

Virat Kohli is tired and running out of time, says former Zimbabwe all-rounder Dirk Viljoen

Watch: For Jasprit Bumrah, "No Hurdle Big Enough" In New Rehab Video

Sikandar Raza - The Zimbabwean cricketer who almost denied India a 3-0 series win

"On Right Track, But...": Former Pakistan Captain On Virat Kohli-Babar Azam Comparisons

Watch: Kuldeep Yadav, Ishan Kishan's Heartwarming Gesture For Sikandar Raza During 3rd ODI

Team India Coach Rahul Dravid Tests Positive For COVID-19

ICC Men's ODI Rankings: India Static On Third, Pakistan At Fourth