Cricket

1918 days ago

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"Ricky Ponting knows how to bring out the best in someone, he is from another planet", says Rohit Sharma

An opening batsman and the limited-overs vice-captain, Rohit Sharma recalled the time when he got to share the dressing room with former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, and heap praised the two-time world cup winning captain for his influence on the players as player and coach. In a live chat session on Instagram with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit talked about the various things including his stint with Mumbai Indians.## "I feel Ponting is a guy from another planet. He knows how to bring out the best in someone. He has won two World Cups for Australia. So he knows how to win Championships," Rohit told Ashwin.## In IPL 2012, Sachin Tendulkar stepped down from MI's captaincy and Harbhajan Singh was made the captain before he too stepped down in 2013. That time, Rohit felt that he would be the next captain but then Ricky Ponting was bought in the auction.## "In 2013, we got Ricky Ponting in the auction. In 2012 Sachin paaji said that he would not lead Mumbai Indians and Bhajju paa (Harbhajan Singh) was made the skipper. But in 2013, I don't know why Bhajju paa wasn't the captain. And I thought I will be made the captain, but then Ponting was bought in the auction," said Rohit.## "Ponting was the first one to arrive in India for the 2013 season. He wanted to understand everyone. He said that he wanted to have a team bonding session first. In a way, it made a very positive impact on everyone. Ponting really motivated the younger guys," he added.## When Ponting was bought by Mumbai Indians in the auction, he was given captaincy instantly. However, he gave up captaincy after the first six matches in IPL 2013 as he couldn't perform well in those matches. That was the time when Rohit Sharma was handed over MI's leadership before MI won 4 IPL titles under his captaincy.## "But then he was not scoring runs, he decided to step down as the skipper, but eventually Ponting called me and I was given the captaincy. Ponting actually was player-cum-coach during the 2013 season. He was always there to help me," Rohit said.## Rohit Sharma also talked about how his life has changed since the arrival of his baby girl Samaira who he considers his lucky charm. The right-handed also revealed why he has given up on eating the famous street food of Mumbai. ## "I've been out a couple of times, gone to that famous place near Chowpatty. One of the best pav bhaajis you will get there. Now I've got a little one in the house, probably sleeping at that point so there is no chance of going and eating pav bhaajis after midnight," he said. ## Once Virat Kohli had said that Rohit Sharma is one of the laziest people in the team. Now, Rohit has confessed his love for sleeping and said he needs at least 9-10 hours of sleep. ## "It's true that I've never made it to the breakfast table in IPL history, also because of other reasons as it gets very late after matches. I need my 9-10 hours of sleep, that is a must. Since Samaira was born, I used to sleep with her. I somehow managed to sleep with her and wake up with her. Because once she's up your not going to get your sleep," Rohit said.## Stay tuned...

Cricket

2170 days ago

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Top 10 All-Time Highest Test Rating For The Batsmen

Steve Smith is going with all guns blazing since he has made his comeback to the international cricket after facing a one-year ban in the ball-tampering scandal. In the ongoing Ashes series, he has looked unstoppable and its clearly reflecting on England's bowlers who seemed to have no answers of Smith's brilliance. He has already scored 671 runs in just 5 innings with an average of 134.20. In none of the all five innings, he has not dismissed under 50 and has scored one double hundred, 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries.## Steve Smith's staller form has not only helped Australia to retain the Ashes for the first time since 2001 in England but also has helped him to regain his number one Test ranking which he lost to Virat Kohli. His rating was 857 before the Ashes and after the 4th Ashes Test, he has now on 937 points and 34 ahead of the second-ranked Virat Kohli. ## Looking at Smith's current form, it is highly likely that he can break Sir Donald Bradman's record of the highest Test rating ever of 961 which he got in 1948. Smith has already reached to 947 rating points in 2017 which is the second-best rating in Test. The Indian captain Kohli too has reached to 937 rating points and is supposed to cross his personal best in upcoming matches.## Here is the list of the Top 10 highest Test rating of the batsmen: RankBatsmanCountryHighest RatingYear 1. Sir Donald Bradman Australia 961 1948 2. Steve Smith Australia 947 2017 3. Sir Len Hutton England 945 1954 4. Sir Jack Hobbs England 942 1912 4. Ricky Ponting Australia 942 2006 5. Peter May England 941 1956 6. Sir Vivian Richards West Indies 938 1981 6. Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka 938 2007 6. Sir Garry Sobers West Indies 938 1967 6. Sir Clyde Walcott West Indies 938 1955 7. Virat Kohli India 937 2018 8. Matthew Hayden Australia 935 2002 8. Jacques Kallis South Africa 935 2007 8. AB de Villiers South Africa 935 2014 9. Mohammad Yousuf Pakistan 933 2006 10. Sir Everton Weekes West Indies 927 1956 10. Graeme Pollock South Africa 927 1970 ## Note - Rankings as of 11 September, 2019 ## Follow for more...

Cricket

2349 days ago

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Ponting And De Villiers Picked Their World Cup Semi-Finalists

With world cup just two and a half months away, all the teams are looking all set for the biggest tournament. However, as of now, India and England are looking firm favorites to lift the cup at the iconic Lords stadium, Australia, the five-time world champion is picking at the right time and the inclusion of Steve Smith and David Warner will boost their chances.## Australia's former captain Ricky Ponting and South African great AB de Villiers have picked their four semi-finalists but fell that it is India that is more likely to lift the cup. Ricky Ponting who is all set for his new assignment as a coach of Delhi Capitals told TOI that "England, India, Australia and maybe New Zealand. Of course, you never know what Pakistan and West Indies are gonna do! when he was asked about his four world cup semi-finalists.## On the other hand, AB de Villiers feels that South Africa can win the world cup but he was honest in saying that they are not the favorite for the title. "I do believe South Africa have a chance, as we did at any other World Cup because we are a world-class team with plenty of match-winners. The Proteas are certainly in the running, but I won’t say they are the favorites to be honest with you.## "India and England are looking strong, Australia has won five World Cups in the past and Pakistan claimed the Champions Trophy in the UK two years ago. Those four teams are probably the favorites," De Villiers told Sport24.## De Villiers who will be seeing playing IPL starting from March 23 for RCB along with Virat Kohli. The duo has been one of the most successful pairs in the history of the Indian Premier League and hence, they know each other more than anyone else. Keeping the world cup in mind, de Villiers feels that Virat Kohli's purple patch will give India an edge which has propelled him to No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen, aren't going to stop any time soon.## "Virat’s performances over the last while have been incredible and I can’t see it stopping very soon," de Villiers said. "I have played with him for eight years now in the IPL and you can never take the class out of the guy. I see lots of similarities between myself and Virat. We are both fighters and don’t enjoy losing, we love batting together and taking the game away from teams."## While the other former players and legends of the game are still arguing for the best ODI batsman of all time between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, both de Villiers and Ponting feel that Virat Kohli is the greatest batsman of all time in ODIs.## "If Virat has a good World Cup, India will win. His numbers show that he is the best. How old is he? Maybe 30, and he is going to play another 200 games. I don't think there will be many people who are going to argue against him being the best," Ponting told TOI.## Follow for more...

Cricket

2375 days ago

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Top 5 Leading Run Scorer In One-Day World Cup History

On 18 February 1996, The legendary Sachin Tendulkar scored his first of six centuries in ODI World Cup. The master blaster is the only batsman in the history of cricket who has scored 6 centuries in World Cup matches. Tendulkar represented India in 6 ODI World Cup and the best effort was in 2011 when India lifted the Cup after 28 years. 2011 World Cup was Tendulkar's last World Cup as a player.## Apart from scoring highest centuries, the legend has scored most runs than any other player in World Cup as well as in Tests and ODIs. Talking about the World Cup, Tendulkar is the only batsman to score more than 2000 runs in the tournament.## Here is the list of TOP 5 batsman with most runs in ODI World Cup:## 1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND, 2278 Runs) - In the six World Cups, Sachin Tendulkar has played 45 matches in which the master blaster has scored 2278 runs at an average of 56.95 with 6 centuries and 15 half centuries. His best effort came in 2003 World Cup in South Africa where he scored 673 runs in 11 matches which is a record in a single World Cup.## Sachin Tendulkar debuted in World Cup 1992 in Pakistan where he went on to score 283 runs in 7 innings of 8 matches at an average of 47.16 with 3 half-centuries. He played a match-winning knock of unbeaten 54 off 62 balls including 9 fours and 1 six against Pakistan.## 2. Ricky Ponting (AUS, 1743 Runs) - Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting is considered as one of the greatest players. Under his captaincy, Australia lifted the World Cup twice in 2003, 2007. As a batsman, he scored 1743 runs in 42 innings of 46 World Cup matches at an average of 45.46 with 5 centuries and 6 half-centries. His knock of 140* in the final against India in 2003 has been one of the finest knocks of the World Cup.## 3. Kumar Sangakkara (SL, 1532 Runs) - Kumar Sangakkara is arguably the greatest batsman Sri Lanka has ever produced. The wicket-keeper batsman has scored more runs than any other Sri Lankan batsman in both Tests and ODIs. In World Cups, Sangakkara has played 35 innings of 37 matches and scored 1532 runs at an average of 56.74 with 5 hundred (4 came in 2015) and 7 fifties.## Kumar Sangakkara hit four centuries in a row in 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which is a record of this tournament's history. He was the second highest run scorer in 2015 World Cup with 541 runs in seven innings.## 4. Brian Lara (WI, 1225 Runs) - Who is the best - Sachin or Lara? This has been the subject of the debate over the years. West Indies has produced so many great players and Lara is one and perhaps the best of them. He represented West Indies in 5 World Cups in which he played 33 innings of 34 matches where the left-hander has scored 1225 runs at an average of 42.24 with 2 centuries and 7 half-centuries.## 5. AB de Villiers (SA, 1207 Runs) - AB de Villiers is one of the greatest ODI batsmen if not the greatest of all time. He made the batting look so easy with his ability to play shots. He represented South Africa in 3 World Cups and played 23 matches and scored 1207 runs at an average of 63.52 with 4 hundred and 6 fifties. He has the best average among the top 50 highest run-getters in World Cup matches.## Follow for more...

Cricket

2399 days ago

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Top 10 Batsman With Most Runs In ODIs

2018 has been one of the years to remember for the India captain Virat Kohli. In the domination of the bowlers, he was the one who dominated with the bat throughout the year in all three formats. He got the reward for that by becoming the first-ever player to win Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Cricketer of the year, ODI Cricketer of the year, and Test Cricketer of the year in a single year.## With each passing game, the Indian captain getting to Sachin Tendulkar's all-time records in ODIs. In recently concluded series against West Indies, Kohli scored two back to back hundreds and now just 7 short from Tendulkar's 50 hundred. During the series, he surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become 8th highest run-getter in ODIs.## Here is the list of the TOP 10 batsman with most ODI runs:## 1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) - Legendary Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batsman of all time after Sir Don Bradman. He has more runs than any other batsman in International matches. In ODIs, Tendulkar has scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches with an average of 44.83 and strike rate of 86.23. Sachin Tendulkar also has scored 49 centuries along with 96 half-centuries. He is the first player to score a double century in ODIs when he scored 200* against South Africa.## 2. Kumar Sangakkara (SL/ICC/Asia) - Kumar Sangakkara is arguably the greatest batsman Sri Lanka has ever produced. He has scored 14,234 runs in 404 matches with an average of 41.98 along with 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries. Sangakkara has been one of the key reasons behind Sri Lanka's success in cricket during his career.## 3. Ricky Ponting (AUS/ICC) - Ricky Ponting is one of the most successful captains of all time. During his tenure, Australia won 2 World Cups and in 2003 World Cup final against India played an innings of his life. In 375 ODIs, he has scored 13,704 at an average of 42.03 with 30 hundred and 82 fifties. Among him, Tendulkar and Lara have always been a debate of the best batsman and he never looked too far behind in that.## 4. Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/SL) - Another Sri Lankan legend who redefined the batting with his attacking shot-making ability. He has been one of the greatest openers of all time and has scored 13,430 runs in 445 matches at an average of 32.36 with 28 hundred and 68 fifties. He has scored one of the fastest centuries in one-day cricket when he made 48-ball century against Pakistan in Singapore in 1996.## 5. Mahela Jayawardene (Asia/SL) - Jayawardene and Sangakkara have scripted many famous wins for Sri Lanka together. He has been one of the pillars for Sri Lankan batting line up for 17 years. During his long career, he scored 12,650 runs in 448 ODIs at an average of 33.37 with 19 hundred and 77 fifties.## 6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Asia/PAK) - Inzamam-ul-Haq is famous for his slow running between the wickets but he never looked slow while scoring runs. With his aggressive style of batting, he is one of the greatest batsmen Pakistan have ever produced. In 350 ODIs, he scored 11,739 runs at an average of 39.52 and strike rate of 74.24 with 10 hundred and 83 fifties.## 7. Jacques Kallis (Afr/ICC/SA) - Arguably the greatest all-rounder of the 21st century, Jacques Kallis has had a successful career. He was South Africa's one of the pillars in middle order during his career and more than handy bowlers who always provided breakthroughs when his team needed the most. in 328 ODIs, he scored 11,539 runs at an average of 44.36 with 17 hundred and 86 the fifties.## 8. VIRAT KOHLI (IND) - Sachin Tendulkar's records were looking untouchable until Virat Kohli come. Some of the former player's likes of Allen Border and Micheal Clarke believes that Virat is the greatest ODI batman world cricket has ever seen. His records speak for him. In just 239 ODIs, he has scored 11,520 runs at an extraordinary average of 60.31 and strike rate of 93.21 with 43 century (only behind Tendulkar). Fans call him with the names of 'Chase master', 'King Kohli', 'Chase King'. He is the only active batsman in top 10 batsman list of leading run-scorer in ODIs. Kohli is just 19 runs short from surpassing South African legend Jacques Kallis wh has scored 11,539 runs in ODIs.## 9. Sourav Ganguly (Asia/IND) - Popularly known as 'Dada', Sourav Ganguly has been one of the best left-arm batsmen. He has been the part of India's famous Feb-five squad. In 311 ODIs, Ganguly scored 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02 with 22 hundred and 72 fifties. He has been one of the successful captains for India. He led India to World Cup 2003 final where India lost to Australia and scripted some of India's famous overseas wins.## 10. Rahul Dravid (Asia/ICC/IND) - If cricket is gentlemen's game then Rahul Dravid is that gentlemen who have been one of the respected players on and off the field. He famously is known for 'The Wall' because of his determined batting in Tests. In ODIs, he scored 10,889 runs 344 matches at an average of 39.16 with 12 hundred and 83 fifties.## As of August 14, 2019## Follow for more...

Cricket

2438 days ago

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Top 5 Batsman With Most International Centuries

India captain Virat Kohli is reducing the gap between him and Sachin Tendulkar pretty quickly in terms of scoring centuries at an international level. After scoring his 27th Test hundred in the historic pink ball test against Bangladesh, he now has 70 centuries in all three formats which are 1 short from Ricky Ponting who has 71 centuries. Sachin Tendulkar has scored 100 centuries and he is at number 1 position.## Here is the list of players with most international centuries## 1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND, 100 Centuries) - If there will be talked about records in cricket, Sachin Tendulkar will always be remembered. The legend of the game and arguably the greatest batsmen of all time, Tendulkar has created numerous records and scoring 100 international centuries is one of them. In 664 matches across all three formats (Test, ODI, T20), Tendulkar has scored 100 hundred (51 Tests, 49 ODIs). Apart from centuries, he has scored 34,357 runs (highest by any player) in this period.## The former Indian captain has retired from the international cricket in 2013 when he played his 200th Test against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium. It became one of the most memorable farewells as the whole stadium were chanting Sachiiiin, Sachin which actually brought tears in Tendulkar's eyes.## 2. Ricky Ponting (AUS, 71 Centuries) - There has always been a debate between Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting that who is the better batsman. Both have done wonders for their respective teams. Even though there is a big difference between the numbers of the two greats, Ponting has scored 71 centuries (40 Tests, 31 ODIs) in 560 matches and also scored 26,825.## Not only Ponting was a great batsman, he equally was a great captain as well who led Australia to win two World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007. He bid goodbye from international cricket against India at the Gabba in 2012.## 3. Virat Kohli (IND, 70 Centuries) - Among the top 5 international centurions, Virat Kohli is the only active player. He is by far the best batsman of the modern era. In his 10 years of career, he has done wonders across all three formats. There is the talk among the greats of the game that if anyone can break Sachin Tendulkar's record, Virat Kohli is that one player. The Indian captain has already scored 70 centuries (27 Tests, 43 ODIs) in just 437 innings and scored 21,036 runs.## 4. Kumar Sangakkara (SL, 63 Centuries) - Kumar Sangakkara is arguably the greatest batsman that Sri Lanka has ever produced. The left-hand wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 63 international centuries (38 Tests, 25 ODIs) in 594 matches and scored 28,016 runs. Even though he couldn't win 50 over World Cup for his side but he played a major role in 2007 and 2011 World Cup in which Sri Lanka was the finalists.## He helped Sri Lanka to win World T20 title in 2014 in their own backyard where they beat India in the final and Sangakkara played a match-winning knock. He retired after playing his last Test against India at P Sara Oval, 2015.## 5. Jacques Kallis (SA, 62 Centuries) - Former South African captain Jacques Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders who has played cricket. He was so close to breaking Sachin Tendulkar's 51 Test centuries record before he announced his retirement in 2014. He has scored 62 centuries (45 Tests, 17 ODIs) and scored 25534 runs in 519 matches.## Apart from his batting records, Jacques Kallis has taken 577 wickets (292 Tests, 273 ODIs, 12 T20Is). He is the only player to score 25,000 runs and take 500 wickets at international level.## *Stats on 23 November 2019.## Follow for more...

Cricket

2527 days ago

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India Will Struggle In Australia If The Ball Swings And Seams: Ponting

Former Australian captain and one of the greats of the game Ricky Ponting feels Indian batsmen will found it difficult in Australia if the ball starts swinging and seaming as it did in England in recently concluded 5-match Test series where India faced 4-1 lose.## After looking India's performance with the bat in England, Ponting has no doubt in his mind that India's top order will have to face the same difficulty in Australia as well if the conditions start helping the Pacers. Ponting was talking to the Cricket Australia website and said, "If the ball does swing around a lot or seam around a lot then I think India will find it difficult in Australia.## "I think any time we saw India struggle through the England series was when the ball moved. As soon as the ball started to move in the air or seam, the Indian batsmen will always struggle. It's no different to when Australia go to the subcontinent and the ball spins from day one. We always struggle with that as well," Ponting said.## India will be eying their first ever series win down the under. This will be India's best chance to win the series as Australia is not as strong as they were on previous occasions. Also, two of their best players, Steve Smith and David Warner will not be the part of the Australian squad as both the players are facing a one-year ban by CA after found guilty in the recent ball-tampering saga in South Africa.## However, this will not be as easy as India is thinking. Their previous record in Australia is not something that they can proud of. In their last two attempts in Australia, India have failed to win a single match. And therefore, India will be relying on their best player and No.1 Test batsman Virat Kohli once again who enjoyed a fabulous run with the bat in 2014-15. Kohli also was in sublime touch against England in recently concluded Test series and was the top run-getter with 593 runs in 10 innings.## Despite his excellent run with the bat, his captaincy went through under the scanner. Kohli as captain completely failed to read the conditions on two occasions if not many. And therefore, some of the former players raised the questions on his captaincy. However, Ponting rushed to the defence of the Indian captain.## "I've never sat back and tried to analyze what playing captains do as I know when I was captain on the field is about 30 or 40 percent of what you need to be in control of," Ponting said. "The rest of it happens behind closed doors or in the change rooms and quite often back in the hotel when you've got time to yourself.## "Trying to find ways to spend time with your teammates, learn about them inside out and trying to find a way to make them perform better on the field. It's not so much about a bowling change or a field placement as that part of the game is highly overrated as far as I'm concerned. ## The tactical stuff is normally worked out a few days before the game and then you go with your gut instinct about the game out on the ground once the game starts," He said.## India will begin their tour of Australia with a 3-match T20I series from 21 to 25 November before playing the first of the 4-match Test series in Adelaide on December 6. India and Australia are also scheduled to play 3-match ODI series as well.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.