sports.ndtv.com - "Don't Think Rohit Sharma Will Step Back, Virat Kohli Has To...": R Ashwin's Champions Trophy Verdict

"Don't Think Rohit Sharma Will Step Back, Virat Kohli Has To...": R Ashwin's Champions Trophy Verdict

As the countdown for the ICC Champions Trophy begins, the stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are back in focus again. After playing important roles in India's success at the T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli and Rohit have big expectations on their shoulders again. However, neither of the two have had form going their way in recent events. In fact, skipper Rohit's ultra-aggressive approach has often left the team in problematic situations. Yet, former India international Ravichandran Ashwin, doesn't expect Rohit to alter his style. Hence, he has asked Virat Kohli to act as a 'bridge' for the team.

Sam Konstas To Leave Sri Lanka Tour Midway And Return Home For Sheffield Shield Game

Young opening batter Sam Konstas is leaving Australia's tour of Sri Lanka and flying back home to play in New South Wales' next Sheffield Shield game against Queensland at the Gabba. The Australian media have reported that the decision to send back Konstas was taken after it became clear that the 19-year-old batter would not be considered for selection in the second Test against Sri Lanka. Konstas, who made headlines with his unorthodox shots on debut against a Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian pace bowling attack in Melbourne last December, returned to hotel after Australia's training session on Tuesday and started packing his bag for his flight back home.

"Could Be Rohit Sharma's Last...": Massive Prediction Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025 By Ex-India Star

They may have struggled in recent times but the form of skipper Rohit Sharma and his longtime colleague Virat Kohli will be key to India's success in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, reckoned former batter Suresh Raina on Tuesday. The Champions Trophy starts in Pakistan from February 19 and will concluded on March 9 but India will play all their matches in Dubai as per the hybrid model agreement signed by the concerned parties. Speaking to broadcaster Star Sports, Raina said, "Rohit Sharma's strike rate has improved significantly after the ODI World Cup in 2023. Since then, he has scored runs at a strike rate of 119-120, making him one of India's best ODI batsmen.

"Will You Resign?": Magnus Carlsen Accuses FIDE Chief Of Coercion, Broken Promises

World number one Magnus Carlsen has demanded that International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich resign for "coercion of players, misuse of power and broken promises" after talks to thrash out an agreement between the world body and the Freestyle Tour co-founded by him collapsed. The 34-year-old Norwegian superstar was reacting to FIDE's statement on Monday in which it declared that efforts to work out a consensus with the Freestyle Chess Tour, co-founded by Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner, had failed over the use of the term world championship.

Video: 'World Champion' D Gukesh Heartbroken On Losing Tata Chess Title Against R Praggnandhaa

The Indian juggernaut in international chess remained unstoppable as Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa fought through exhaustion and nerves to defeat world champion D Gukesh in a clash of compatriots to clinch the Tata Steel Masters title for the first time in his prolific career. The bespectacled 19-year-old from Chennai, a city that has become the cradle of Indian chess, came from behind to upstage the 18-year-old world number three 2-1 in the tiebreaker of the event's 87th edition here on Sunday. This was after both players ended up tied on 8.5 points after losing their 13th-round games. While Gukesh lost to fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa went down to Vincent Keymer of Germany.

Sachin Tendulkar, Sir Don Bradman And Brian Lara Snubbed As Ricky Ponting Picks 'Best Cricketer Ever'

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has picked the "greatest cricketer that's ever played" the game. During his career, Ponting played against some of the finest cricketers, be it Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara. However, the legendary batter has labelled former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the best of the best. To back his claim, Ponting highlighted Kallis' exploits with both bat and ball. In an illustrious career spanning 19 years, Kallis was an exceptional batter, a penetrative fast bowler and one of the safest slip fielders the game has ever seen.

Sift Kaur Samra, Jonathan Anthony Clinch Gold Medals At National Games

Punjab's Sift Kaur Samra and Karnataka's Jonathan Anthony secured gold medals in women's 50m 3 positions and men's 10m pistol events respectively at the ongoing 38th National Games in Dehradun on Monday. The 23-year-old Samra, an Asian Games gold medallist, produced a commanding performance to score an impressive 461.2 points to grab the top spot in a competitive final held at Maharana Pratap Sports College. "This feels like a comeback for me after the Olympics. I didn't take a break and kept training, so winning gold today feels special," Samra, who couldn't make the finals in Paris Olympics, said in a release.

Questions Over Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 Readiness, ICC Gives Special 'Exception' To Pakistan Cricket Board

The Champions Trophy 2025 is going to start in a fortnight in Pakistan. Despite that, there have been questions marks over Pakistan's readiness to host the marquee events with viral videos on social media showing work in progress at several stadiums. In the midst of this, a report has claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has made an 'exception' to the general norm of "exclusivity period" for Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy. The general rule is that three weeks before start of any global cricket event, the host association (in this case Pakistan Cricket Board) is expected to hand over the venue to ICC.

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"Don't Think Rohit Sharma Will Step Back, Virat Kohli Has To...": R Ashwin's Champions Trophy Verdict

Sam Konstas To Leave Sri Lanka Tour Midway And Return Home For Sheffield Shield Game

"Could Be Rohit Sharma's Last...": Massive Prediction Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025 By Ex-India Star

"Will You Resign?": Magnus Carlsen Accuses FIDE Chief Of Coercion, Broken Promises

Video: 'World Champion' D Gukesh Heartbroken On Losing Tata Chess Title Against R Praggnandhaa

Sachin Tendulkar, Sir Don Bradman And Brian Lara Snubbed As Ricky Ponting Picks 'Best Cricketer Ever'

Sift Kaur Samra, Jonathan Anthony Clinch Gold Medals At National Games

Questions Over Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 Readiness, ICC Gives Special 'Exception' To Pakistan Cricket Board