"Not Good Captain, Not Right For IPL Team": Virat Kohli's Critics Shut Down By Rajeev Shukla
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended 18 years of misery as the Rajat Patidar -led side defeated the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Virat Kohli, the only constant in the franchise over the last 18 years, finally tasted success in the T20 league, while also playing an important role in the team's triumph. With the win, Kohli didn't just extend his legacy in Indian cricket but also sent a message to all those who questioned his leadership, adaptability to the T20 format.
Rajeev Shukla, the man touted to become the next Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, shut down critics in style as Virat finally made the 'Ee sala cup namde' prophecy true.
"See, to me, it feels like - amongst those who've played the IPL over the last 18 years - Virat has been the constant. And he tried many times to make Bangalore champions, to make RCB champions, but it never happened. People often criticised him, said things like 'he's not a good captain,' 'he's not right for an IPL team' - this and that," Shukla said in a chat with India Today.
Though RCB haven't been as successful as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in IPL history, the franchise enjoys unmatched fan following. For Shukla, the popularity that the Bengaluru side has is all because of Virat Kohli.
"But whatever the case may be, it's because of Virat that RCB has such a big fan base and popularity. People around the world follow this team because of him. No matter where a match is played, if Virat's team is playing, it will be known by his name," Shukla added.
Virat was RCB's top-scoring batter this season, finishing the IPL 2025 campaign with 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75. He struck at a strike rate of 144.71, with his highest score being 73 not out.
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Unplanned, unapproved, unforgivable: Lessons and questions from Bengaluru stampede tragedy that took 11 young lives
The fatal events unfolded within less than 24 hours of RCB's title win. Without any clear coordination between the RCB management, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and the state government, an open-top bus parade was publicly announced by RCB early on June 4. The rally was set to start from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium — right through Bengaluru's busiest Central Business District. Also Read - Ramachandra Guha slams Karnataka government: 'Top cop made a scapegoat in Bengaluru tragedy' But here lies the first big question, 'Was the Bengaluru Police informed?". RCB's announcement of the 'Victory Parade' appeared to have caught city police off guard. Just two hours later, police issued a public statement saying the parade was cancelled due to security concerns and lack of clearance. Yet, the damage was already done. Thousands of fans had already begun making their way to the stadium, assuming the event would proceed. To add to the confusion, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar welcomed the RCB team at the airport and took them to Vidhana Soudha, further fueling assumptions that celebrations were still on. Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, present with her husband Virat Kohli, even posted videos of the massive crowd chasing the team bus, calling the experience 'unbelievable.' Clearly, there was no clarity on whether this was a cancelled event or an impromptu, unsanctioned celebration. Also Read - Karnataka CM's political secretary K Govindaraj sacked amid Bengaluru stampede outrage Multiple reports suggest that the Bengaluru Police had raised red flags about the parade, but there was internal pressure to go ahead regardless. The result? Mismanaged crowds, no clear access routes, and a deadly stampede triggered by sheer chaos outside a stadium that already struggles to handle traffic on a match day. Chinnaswamy Stadium has hosted similar crowds before. But what made this different was the false promise and the idea that fans could just show up and catch a glimpse of their heroes celebrating up close — without a plan. These are not just questions for a press conference. These are questions that decide whether such a tragedy will ever happen again. No victory — no matter how historic — is worth human lives. And no photograph or selfie with a trophy can be more important than public safety. What the Bengaluru stampede teaches us is stark, when institutional arrogance and coordination failures meet fan frenzy, disaster is inevitable. Whether it's Bengaluru, Prayagraj, Goa, or Tirupati — stampedes are not acts of God. They are products of neglect, poor planning, and sometimes, sheer ego. And until those in power — sports franchises, civic leaders, and governments — take responsibility instead of hiding behind 'suspensions' and 'probes', such tragedies will repeat. As fans, it's important to remember: celebration is not worth dying for. And as a society, we must ensure that no city becomes a stage for yet another avoidable tragedy.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
'If India get flogged 5-0 in England ... ': Michael Clarke's bold claim on Virat Kohli's Test comeback
Virat Kohli (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Virat Kohli , who has often called Test cricket the pinnacle of the sport, might come out of retirement if India endure a heavy defeat in the upcoming five-Test series in England and the team management and selectors request his return. Kohli had announced his retirement from the longest format last month after playing 123 Tests for India, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I believe this. If India go to England and get flogged, if they lose the series 5-0 for example, I think the fans will want Virat Kohli to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again," Clarke told the Beyond23 Cricket podcast on Friday. "And I honestly, I think if he was asked by the captain, selectors and supported by fans, if they get beaten big time in England, I think he'll come. He still loves Test cricket. "I think his words, I think those words, like you could hear his passion for Test cricket is real.' 16:33 Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy After fulfilling his long-standing dream of winning the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli had said the title still ranked 'five levels under Test cricket.' Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma had announced their retirement from the Test format ahead of the England series, which begins with the opening match in Leeds on June 20. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo "Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket. I think tactically any team will miss his captaincy. I think tactically he was a brilliant captain. Virat Kohli walks away from Test cricket. Devastating! What an absolute champion he's been and Test cricket will miss him," Clarke said.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
17 minutes ago
- First Post
Norway Chess 2025: Can D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi beat Magnus Carlsen to the top spot? Scenarios explained
The 10th and final round of the 2025 Norway Chess gets underway on Friday with defending champion and world No 1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning world champion D Gukesh and No 2 Hikaru Nakamura among the chess stars fighting for the title. read more While D Gukesh is in the fray to finish top of the 2025 Norway Chess standings, Arjun Erigaisi can finish second at best. Image credit: Michal Waluzstan, Norway Chess One round is all that remains in the 13th edition of the Norway Chess, and the final day of the event is expected to witness a high-voltage showdown between defending champion Magnus Carlsen, D Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura. It's been quite the topsy-turvy ride for everyone involved, including reigning world champion Gukesh who began his campaign with back-to-back defeats against Carlsen and fellow Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi but was back on track with a victory over Nakamura in Round 3. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD World champion Gukesh, who had turned 19 a day after his victory over Nakamura, would go on to defeat Carlsen in the sixth round, beating the world No 1 for the first time in his career. The game made headlines not just for Gukesh's superb turnaround from a losing position but also for Carlsen's reaction to the loss – angrily slamming his fist on the table that toppled the pieces on the board, taking his opponent and everyone else at the hall by surprise. And despite admitting to being mentally affected by the loss to the point where he claims defending his title at the event will not matter to him any more, Carlsen continues to occupy the top spot on the standings, leading Gukesh by the barest of margins. Gukesh has had a mixed run since being crowned the youngest world champion in chess history with his victory over Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in December; he had finished runner-up at the Tata Steel Chess in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands at the start of the year after losing to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in the tie-breaks, but would flop at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour events in Weissenhaus and Paris that took place in February and April respectively. Gukesh's struggle in the Freestyle format appeared to have shaken his confidence in the Classical format as well, with the Chennai lad struggling to make an impact at the Superbet Classic in Bucharest Romania. Gukesh, however, appears to have regained his touch in Norway and has silenced his critics, who were beginning to doubt if he truly deserved the tag of 'world champion' and belonged among the sport's elite, with his victories over Carlsen, Nakamura and others. Can Gukesh, or Arjun for that matter finish top of the standings after the conclusion of the final round on Friday? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Gukesh and Arjun can finish top of the 2025 Norway Chess standings Gukesh currently has 14.5 points to his name after his victory over Chinese No 1 Wei Yi in the ninth round on Thursday, and is half-a-point behind Carlsen, who regained the top spot from Fabiano Caruana after defeating the American GM on the same day. The only way Gukesh gets to win Norway Chess is if Carlsen fails to win his final game – either by losing or being held to a draw. Should Carlsen lose to Arjun in the final round, a draw will suffice for Gukesh even if he goes on to lose the Armageddon playoff against Caruana. American GM Nakamura, however, isn't far behind on 13 points, and should he defeat Wei in Round 10, Gukesh will have no option but to win his last game. The only other player with a distant chance of finishing at the top is Caruana, who is fourth in the standings with 12.5 points. Not only will he have to defeat Gukesh, he will also be hoping Carlsen loses his final game against Arjun and Hikaru doesn't collect more than 1.5 points out of the possible 3 against Wei. Such a scenario will have Caruana finishing at the top with 15.5 points, half-a-point ahead of the second-placed Carlsen. There could also be a two-way tie between Gukesh and Arjun on 14.5 points for the third spot, which could even be a three-way tie if Hikaru pulls off an Armageddon victory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wei, the lowest-ranked among all the players (No 8), is set to finish at the bottom of the standings regardless of his performance in the final round.
