Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Might Move to London

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are proud parents to their two children, Vamika and Akaay. Anushka gave birth to Akaay in London, and since then, she has mostly stayed there with their kids. Anushka returned to India to watch the T20 World Cup matches and support Virat Kohli. After the World Cup, both Anushka and Virat went back to London to be with their children. There are now rumors on social media that they might settle permanently in London.

#ViratKohli in London… pic.twitter.com/QOdOIvZOhr

— Cricket Updates (@tamilcricup96) July 8, 2024

Life in London for Virat and Anushka

Fans believe that Virat and Anushka might move to London for good to live with Vamika and Akaay. After winning the World Cup, Virat announced his retirement from T20 cricket.

However, Virat and Anushka haven’t officially confirmed their plans to move to London. Many fans have shared their thoughts online. One fan wrote, “They can’t have a normal life here. London is a nice city with good schools. People follow them everywhere in India. Their kids’ photos might get leaked, which they don’t want. It’s hard for them to have privacy here. Virat will retire in a few years, and Anushka has already slowed down her career. He said he would disappear for a while, which isn’t possible in India. So, they might settle in the UK.”

Another fan commented, “I got the hint when he said, ‘I will be gone for a while.’ He also started following a London play school on Instagram. They’ve at least temporarily moved to the UK. He will travel for matches and the IPL, but they might live there permanently after he retires.”

Other fans supported their decision, saying, “It’s good for them. Their small children deserve a normal life. Virat and Anushka had simple childhoods, and they want the same for their kids. They can’t do normal things in India without being followed.” Another said, “He can’t live peacefully here unless in a luxury apartment. Once, he went to a cafe in Bengaluru, and 10,000 people showed up.”

We are just a day away from the highly anticipated India versus England T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final. This match is particularly intriguing as England defeated India in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Many believe that the Indian team is eager to avenge that loss. Ahead of the game, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar praised captain Rohit Sharma and predicted he will be the player to watch at Providence Stadium.

“Very excited. Look, this format is very exciting and entertaining. You see so many shots and deliveries that you don’t in the longer formats of the game. It’s a very thrilling format, and the way the teams have been playing, especially India against Australia, was amazing!” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, hitting those big sixes. Even after losing Kohli in the previous over, it shows the captain’s intent. The Indian team is going to try and maximize their abilities and win matches,” Gavaskar added.

Rishabh Pant has made remarkable progress. After returning to competitive cricket a few months ago following an 18-month hiatus, he has been selected for the T20 World Cup and is now considered an unorthodox X-factor at the No. 3 spot.

During the IPL, Pant overcame a strong challenge from Dinesh Karthik to join Sanju Samson in the wicket-keeper race. However, even after the T20 tournament, it wasn’t certain he would bat at No. 3 for India in the World Cup.

Pant’s rise has sparked discussions about whether he should replace Virat Kohli as an opener. Although it’s unlikely India will make this change against Bangladesh on Saturday, it’s an interesting idea to explore.

Both batsmen’s relative weaknesses make them suited for the top order. Pant’s lower-order record isn’t impressive, despite his aggressive style, and Kohli is generally not seen as ideal below No. 3.

The challenge is to maximize their potential, especially in the sluggish conditions seen in the tournament so far. If Pant opens, and the openers stay together for at least four to five overs, Kohli will face the middle overs. If the pitch slows after the powerplay, Kohli might need to adapt his game, possibly playing more conservatively before attempting bigger shots. His technically proficient batting could be advantageous in this phase.

However, as seen against Afghanistan, Kohli’s old batting style may not be effective in such conditions. If India wants to be aggressive, Kohli might not be the best fit there. Pant’s unconventional style or Suryakumar Yadav’s intelligent shot selection might be better suited for sluggish tracks. Both Pant and Suryakumar have shown their capabilities, with Pant excelling against Pakistan and briefly against Afghanistan, and Suryakumar demonstrating his skill as the best No. 4 in the world.

Kohli’s attacking options against seamers are limited to charging and smashing through the line or swatting to the on side. His break-free shots against spinners have improved, especially his slog-sweeps seen more in the recent IPL. He can charge spinners or attempt other shots, but Pant and Suryakumar have a wider range against spin.

Pant as an opener could yield more runs quickly, but with the risk of losing him before the middle overs where he could excel. Kohli, trying to adapt his powerplay game through the IPL, could also be effective if his approach works. Kohli’s moves against the new ball are more predictable, but he has been trying to be more aggressive, though with mixed results.

In summary, the decision between Pant and Kohli for the opening slot involves balancing their strengths and weaknesses, particularly in adapting to the pitch conditions and maximizing their impact on the game.

Virat Kohli was the only player who did not participate in India’s warm-up game for the T20 World Cup against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday. He arrived late Friday night and was rested after the 16-hour flight from Mumbai.

Although Kohli missed the match, a moment from the game grabbed fans’ attention on social media. During the game in New York, where India excelled in both batting and bowling, the former captain was seen casually showing off his six-pack abs. One user on X (formerly known as Twitter) commented, “Stop, it’s already 40 degrees,” as the video went viral.

Kohli was expected to be in the first group of Indian players traveling to New York after IPL 2024. However, he and all-rounder Hardik Pandya were notably absent on May 26, with Pandya reportedly on vacation at an undisclosed location. According to an Indian Express report last week, Kohli had extended his break after the IPL season, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a tough exit in the Eliminator, after getting permission from the BCCI.

As a result, Kohli missed all three practice sessions India held in New York before the match against Bangladesh. He joined the team on Friday and was present at the stadium during the warm-up game.

Even though he missed the match, Kohli heads into the World Cup after an impressive IPL season, where he scored 741 runs in 15 innings, winning the Orange Cap.

In Saturday’s game, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya shone with the bat, leading India to 182 for five in 20 overs. Pant scored 53 off 32 balls, and Hardik hit a 23-ball 40. Suryakumar Yadav also contributed with a quick 31 off 18 balls, including four sixes. The bowlers then delivered a strong performance, with Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube taking two wickets each, restricting Bangladesh to 122 for nine in 20 overs.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to take place with the USA and the West Indies as co-hosts, marking a significant moment for cricket’s expansion. In a country where basketball and baseball dominate, this ICC event aims to raise awareness about cricket. Notable players like Virat Kohli will play a pivotal role in promoting the sport, especially with cricket becoming a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Kohli expressed surprise and appreciation for the opportunity to play cricket in the USA. He sees this as a sign of the sport’s global influence and praises the USA for embracing this change early on. He believes the T20 World Cup in the USA will kickstart a positive trend for cricket’s growth worldwide.

Discussing cricket’s potential in the USA, Kohli highlights the existing Major League Cricket (MLC) as evidence of the sport’s promising future in the country.