Mahendra Singh Dhoni -- the Indian team mentor for the T20I World Cup and likely the only person in the dressing room who calls Kohli by his nickname 'Chikoo' -- supervised the preparations as he made sure the cake and the candles were in place before Kohli arrived on the scene.
Shubman Gill is enjoying a 'honeymoon period' as India's Test captain but there will be more pressure on him in the days to come, feels former India skipper Sourav Ganguly.
No communication from Rohit on playing Vijay Hazare for Mumbai: MCA official
'Test cricket is so fortunate that today's cricket's biggest brand -- Virat Kohli -- loves Test cricket and puts his heart and soul into it,' says Sanjay Manjrekar.
'From fun breakfast conversations to post match fun, everything was so delightful and a great exchange of knowledge #ayeayecaptain.'
Rohit's early dismissal in the final against South Africa triggered a top-order collapse.
Over four decades, the India-Australia ODI rivalry has mirrored the evolution of both teams, from Australia's supremacy in the 2000s to India's resurgence post-2010. Come Sunday, this rivalry will be renewed as Shubman Gill will commence his first assignment as ODI captain in the opening game of the three match series, at the Optus stadium in Perth.
Virat Kohli put in the hard work during Team India's training sessions in Sydney.
'It is an immense honour, a responsibility I couldn't have imagined.'
Pakistan women's cricket team captain Fatima Sana draws inspiration from India's World Cup-winning skipper MS Dhoni
'Players can apply for permission if they want their families to stay longer on tours.' 'The BCCI will make a decision as it sees fit.'
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to bounce back in the Champions Trophy, expressing confidence in their ability to lead India to success.
There is no better stage than the match against Bangladesh for the two to find form, as India look to book a place in the semis.
Of course, Kohli could remain captain in ODIs, in which his performances are still top drawer, but another Test captain could help him recover form, recommends Suhit K Sen.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
India skipper KL Rahul said his side needed to be sharper in key moments but felt the toss played a decisive role in the home team's four-wicket loss to South Africa in the second ODI, in Raipur, on Tuesday.
India is facing form concerns and selection dilemmas as they enter the final phase of their Champions Trophy preparations.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have struggled in recent Test matches, will find their form in the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy.
Cricket has never been the same since India's thrilling, last-over win over Pakistan in the final at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on September 24, 2007.
The Indian captain lauded Sunrisers Hyderabad for defending 25 runs from 18 balls with Siddarth Kaul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling brilliantly to win the match by five runs.
Currently, Kohli has 13 brands under his belt.
'Dur'hum' saath saath hai,' Anushka captioned the picture on Instagram.
Under Rohit Sharma, India won the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cup, runners-up position in the 2023 World Cup at home and triumphed in the the ICC Champions Trophy in March.
Temba Bavuma, who led South Africa to their maiden ICC World Test Championship title and a historic 2-0 series sweep in India, also made the cut, while four Australian players were included.
Captain Virat Kohli was at the crease having scored 44 runs along with Ajinkya Rahane who was batting on 29.
While the team battles it out on the field, the duo is focused on improving their performance, with the Indian pacers, including Prasidh Krishna, providing tough challenges in the nets.
'In my opinion, the period between 26 and 34 years is your prime, and thereafter, the fitness of the players will ensure their longevity.'
According to the reports, Virat has been having regular conversations with the Board over the past month or so.
While the whole batting unit faltered, the spotlight fell firmly on seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, whose lean patches in recent times have become a matter of concern.
Shubman Gill on Thursday said he would look to imbibe the 'calmness' that his predecessor Rohit Sharma brought to the dressing room
'He's amazing, he trains hard, he's very fit.'
After outclassing West Indies in the recent T20 International series, a confident India will aim to repeat their success in the forthcoming three-match ODI series. The two teams will resume their rivalry in the three-match ODI series with the opening match in Chennai on Sunday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second ODI against England on Sunday?
'It's time to finally learn cricket's rules. Thanks to my friend @virat.kohli for the shirt.
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli admitted to having misread the M Chinnaswamy track that turned out to be a batsman's paradise rather than being a slow turner during their Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
Sarfaraz Khan has expanded his horizon as he now aims to play white-ball cricket for India.
'I see them as well rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep Trophy.'
Rohit Sharma offered a hilarious piece of advice to spinner Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the T20 World Cup this year from February 7.
Shubman Gill will have to lead from the front in absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma but the young team should not be judged too early, said Harbhajan Singh.
Virat Kohli's nearly two-decade long agonising wait to lay his hands on an IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be up against Shreyas Iyer's resolve to make first-time winners out of the tenacious Punjab Kings.
