It's going to be a busy month at the theatres in February.
India begins their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA, aiming to leverage their strong team composition and recent form to secure a victory.
The cricketing ecosystem has learned to survive the prolonged absence of Kohli and Rohit -- at least in two formats -- in this interim period.
Rohit Sharma hit a magnificent 121, while Virat Kohli stroked 74 in India's emphatic nine-wicket victory against Australia in Sydney.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will need a lot of game time going forward now that they play only one format but a decision on how the two white ball legends will stay in rhythm will be decided once the South Africa ODI series is over, skipper Shubman Gill said on Saturday.
Virat Kohli's batting a plus but lots of areas need improvement, says Shubman Gill
As India start their T20 World Cup title defence in less than 72 hours, one is tempted to look at Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir's working relationship which has been fantastic, at least so going by the results -- a whopping 31 wins in 39 games with a winning percentage of 79.48.
The great Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's abilities despite their poor showing with the bat in the first ODI against Australia on Sunday.
The eight players who featured in India's World Cup triumph in 2024 will aim to repeat their magic from two years ago.
On Saturday, Rohit and Virat turned back the clock, delivering a vintage special with their refined strokeplay to silence their critics.
'The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is very important to stay in the present.'
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that head coach Gautam Gambhir has a firm grip on the team and is popular among the players.
As Virat Kohli looks to make amends in Thursday's second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, one of his favourite hunting grounds, former India international Mohammed Kaif said that Virat did not appear to be in his batting zone.
'We just want them to go out there and do their magic'
Virat Kohli retained his crown as India's most valued celebrity brand, extending his unmatched dominance across sports and business, followed by Ranveer Singh and Shah Rukh Khan.
'Even if Reddy fails, the management should persist with him, and India will eventually get a good all-rounder.'
Virat Kohli has returned to India, ready to rejoin the national squad ahead of the ODI series in Australia.
"He needs to rotate strike, keep the scoreboard moving": Pathan on Virat ahead of 3rd Sydney ODI
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli on Tuesday were spotted roaming around on the streets of London with their son Akaay in a stroller.
The series in Australia could well be Rohit's last in India Blues. But Kohli, given his high fitness standards, could play on until the 2027 World Cup.
'I felt they (Rohit and Kohli) had this cycle left. It could be that we don't know what actually transpired.'
The grand comeback party of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma endured a quick 22-ball ending, and their lowkey outing reflected in India's seven-wicket defeat against Australia.
Sarfaraz Khan has expanded his horizon as he now aims to play white-ball cricket for India.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday said it held a formal meeting with a Chinese delegation openly, given the "improved" relations between New Delhi and Beijing, unlike the Congress which, it alleged, "secretly" signed a memorandum of understanding with the neighbouring country's ruling party.
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop believes that Shubman Gill's captaincy will only grow stronger with the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming ODI series in Australia, calling their presence "a huge support system" for the young leader.
Tilak Varma posted some pictures and videos on his social media, showcasing his rehab process as he prepares to make a return to Team India ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup.
At 37, the numbers behind his all-format dominance reveal not just longevity but an unmatched hunger for excellence.
'It might take a little time to find the right preparation rhythm to face the best bowlers in the world.'
K L Rahul's unbeaten ton was eclipsed by Daryl Mitchell's splendid 131 not out as New Zealand levelled the three-match series 1-1 with a seven-wicket win in the second ODI.
Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri reflected on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's below-par showing in the first ODI against Australia in Perth.
2025 will go down as one of the most unsettling chapters in Indian cricket -- not merely because of who retired, but because of how and when it happened.
New Zealand coach Rob Walter said all-rounder Michael Bracewell's participation in the five-match T20I series against India is dependent on his recovery from a minor left-calf strain that he sustained during the recent third ODI at Indore.
The inability to turn promising starts into match-defining scores haunted India throughout the series, including in the third and final ODI in Indore.
'...and maybe just being a little bit short on cricket leading into the series.'
'India is much stronger in white ball than the red ball. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli... they know that these youngsters are pushing them.'
Young Indian batting stars Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are near the 1,000 run mark as the five-match T20I series against Australia Down Under draws closer.
According to Dinesh Karthik, the Indian batting great is already plotting his path to the 2027 World Cup - training diligently during his recent break in London to stay ready for one final shot at glory.
Tanmay and Ajitesh: Once Kohli's U-19 lieutenants are on-field umpires for Australia A series
'When markets go into a budget with excessive optimism, the risk of disappointment is higher.'
Ten Doeschate admitted that, in hindsight, India would have preferred playing a third spinner instead of Reddy, given how effectively New Zealand's spinners exploited the conditions.
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