Latest news with #Beyond23Cricket
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First Post
a day ago
- Sport
- First Post
'I think he'll come out of retirement': Former Australia captain makes big prediction about Virat Kohli
Former Australia captain has said that Virat Kohli might come out of Test retirement if India suffer a heavy defeat in the England series. Kohli announced his retirement from red-ball cricket last month ahead of the new cycle of World Test Championship. read more Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has made a bold prediction about Indian cricket star Virat Kohli . Clarke believes that Kohli might return to Test cricket if India perform poorly in their upcoming series in England. India are slated to play a five-match Test series against England, starting on 20 June. Kohli announced his retirement just days before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the squad for the Test series. Before Kohli, Rohit Sharma stepped down from the longest format, saying he will only be available for ODI games from now on. The same goes for Kohli, who had retired from T20Is last year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Clarke makes big prediction on Kohli Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast, Clarke said that if India lose the series badly then fans and selectors might want Kohli back in the Test team. '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. 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,' Clarke said. 'He (Virat) sees it as the pinnacle and he's still playing good enough cricket. He definitely made the decision to retire and whatever his reasons are, everybody comes to that time in their career. If that's the case, then so be it. But if they don't perform, if they get beaten, like I say, 5-0 in England, which I don't think they will. I think they can still win in England, even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think this Indian squad is a good squad,' he added. It is unlikely that Kohli would come back because he made a clear decision to retire from Test cricket at a time when he was still performing well across formats. After winning his maiden IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli said that the IPL 2025 victory would still be five levels below Test cricket for him.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘This kid is a superstar': Michael Clarke backs Sai Sudharsan's Test debut at No 3 for India vs England
With India embracing a Test transition from the forthcoming five-match series in England onwards, former Australia captain Michael Clarke has made his pick for India's key No. 3 position as skipper Shubman Gill is slated to take over the No. 4 position vacated after Virat Kohli's retirement. Clarke has picked Tamil Nadu sensation Sai Sudharsan to be drafted directly to take over the slot when Gill slides one spot down from No. 3 starting June 20 in Headingley. 'To me, this kid is a superstar, Sai Sudharsan. I think he is a number three in Test cricket. I think he is probably going to open the batting in time in India's T20I and ODI team. He is in their Test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England,' Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast. The left-handed Sudharsan had a dream IPL season with the Gujarat Titans. Outscoring his captain Gill, Sudharsan topped the batting charts in the league, winning the Orange Cap after slamming 759 runs in 15 matches. Averaging 54.21 with a strike rate of 156.17, Sudharsan notched up a century and six fifties as the Titans finished fourth in the Playoffs. Despite holding a sub-40 average in First-Class cricket, Clarka has backed Sudharsan to fit in well at number three for India. 'I think he can walk in straight to bat at number three. I think technically he's very good, he's got all the shots and mentally, he's ready. He really impressed me and he's a good looking player as well,' Clarke said. Sudharsan won the Emerging Player of the Season award in the IPL 2025 edition and has previously appeared in two County stints with Surrey between 2023-24. In his last outing for the side, Sudharsan cracked his maiden First-Class century in English conditons while batting at No. 6. Overall, the 23-year-old averages 39.93 for 1957 runs in 29 FC outings since his debut in 2022
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Karun Nair Snubbed, "Superstar Kid" Backed For No.3 Spot In India vs England Tests By Australia Great
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Virat Kohli, who considers Test cricket as the pinnacle, could come out of retirement if India suffer a heavy defeat in the upcoming five-Test series in England and is requested to return by the team management and selectors. Kohli had announced his retirement from the longest format last month after featuring in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. '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.' Following his long-cherished dream of winning the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli had said the title triumph still ranked 'five levels under Test cricket'. Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma had announced their retirement from Tests ahead of the England series, which begins with the opening match in Leeds on June 20. "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. Shubman Gill has been named captain following Rohit's retirement. 'He (Virat) sees it as the pinnacle and he's still playing good enough cricket. He definitely made the decision to retire and whatever his reasons are, everybody comes to that time in their career," said Clarke, who captained Australia in Tests and ODIs between 2011 and 2015. "If that's the case, then so be it. But if they don't perform, if they get beaten, like I say, 5-0 in England, which I don't think they will. I think they can still win in England, even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think this Indian squad is a good squad,' he added. Clarke also heaped praise on young batter Sai Sudharsan for his impressive performances in the IPL for Gujarat Titans. "Forget he's the leading run scorer, but to me, this kid is a superstar. He left hander. I think he's a number three in test cricket. I think he's probably going to open the batting in time in India's T20 team. "He's in their test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England. I think he can walk straight into bat number three. I think technically he's very good. He's got all the shots and mentally he's ready. He really impressed me. And he's a good looking player as well. He's got that left hander backlift. He plays all the shots; against the quicks he'll take on the short ball..." "It's devastating news, my thoughts are with all the families" Clarke also expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragic stampede during the RCB celebration event. "It's devastating to see anybody get injured or hurt or even worse, pass away is absolutely devastating. Hopefully, we never see this again. "And I think the players should be able to celebrate with the fans, even if it's packed the stadium, take the players to the stadium and let them do a lap of honour at their home ground, something like that. "Whatever it is, I hope this doesn't stop players and fans being able to celebrate together because I think the fans deserve it. But you never, ever want to see someone get hurt or injured or pass. "So yeah, thoughts are with all the families. Devastating news. It certainly was a sad end to what has been an absolutely incredible season."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
India vs England: 'I think he can walk in straight to bat at No. 3,' predicts Michael Clarke on India batter
File photo of former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke. (Getty Images) Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has suggested that India should position Sai Sudharsan at number three in the Test batting order for the upcoming series against England, following Virat Kohli's retirement and the subsequent reshuffling of the batting lineup where Shubman Gill is expected to move to the number four position. The vacancy at number three has emerged as Gill, who previously occupied that spot, is likely to shift down the order to fill the void left by Kohli at number four in the Test lineup. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sai Sudharsan's recent performances in the IPL have caught attention, where he secured the Orange Cap by scoring 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.17, including one century and six fifties. India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy The left-handed batter also claimed the Emerging Player of the Year award, surpassing competitors like Priyansh Arya and Noor Ahmad. "To me, this kid is a superstar, Sai Sudharsan. I think he is a number three in Test cricket. I think he is probably going to open the batting in time in India's T20I and ODI team. He is in their Test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England," Clarke stated on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Concentrated Siberian Ginseng Extract 2oz Superior Ginseng Undo Clarke expressed confidence in Sudharsan's abilities, particularly highlighting his technical prowess and mental readiness for the role. "I think he can walk in straight to bat at number three. I think technically he's very good, he's got all the shots and mentally, he's ready. He really impressed me and he's a good looking player as well," Clarke shared. Poll Should Sai Sudharsan bat at number three in the Test lineup against England? Yes, he is ready for the challenge No, he should be lower down the order Maybe, depending on the conditions Not sure, need to see more performances Another contender for the number three position has emerged in Karun Nair, who recently scored a double century while batting at the same position during India A's first game on the England tour. Both Gill and Sudharsan were scheduled to participate in the second four-day game, but their IPL commitments prevented their participation. The two players will only have the opportunity to adjust to English conditions through an intra-squad game before the first Test match in Leeds.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Kohli could come out of Test retirement if India fails in England
New Delhi: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Virat Kohli, who considers Test cricket as the pinnacle, could come out of retirement if India suffer a heavy defeat in the upcoming five-Test series in England and is requested to return by the team management and selectors. Kohli had announced his retirement from the longest format last month after featuring in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. '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.' Following his long-cherished dream of winning the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli had said the title triumph still ranked 'five levels under Test cricket'.
