Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson praises Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as the most mentally strong players he has played with. In an exclusive interview, Watson discusses the unique qualities that set these two players apart, their intense focus and strong self-belief, along with their contrasting styles and approaches to the game. Watson's insights reveal why Kohli and Dhoni continue to dominate in the Indian Premier League and beyond, even at the age of 32 and 42 respectively, and how they have paved their way to success as leaders and champions.
Shane Watson Praises Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as Mentally Strongest Cricketers
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has hailed Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as the most mentally strong players he has ever shared the field with. In an exclusive interview, Watson lauded the unique qualities that distinguish these two exceptional athletes.
Virat Kohli: Intensity and Self-Belief
Kohli, the current captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams, has become renowned for his unmatched intensity and unwavering self-belief. Watson described Kohli as "an absolute beast on the field," whose competitive fire drives him to push himself and his teammates to the limits.
MS Dhoni: Calmness and Calculated Aggression
In contrast to Kohli's fiery demeanor, Dhoni exudes an aura of calmness and composure. Watson praised Dhoni's ability to remain unruffled under pressure and take calculated risks. "He has a remarkable ability to read the game and make the right decisions," said Watson.
Their Impact on the Indian Cricket Team
Kohli and Dhoni have played a pivotal role in the resurgence of Indian cricket in recent years. Under Kohli's leadership, the team has achieved unprecedented success in Test cricket, while Dhoni's astute captaincy and mentorship have been instrumental in their dominance in limited-overs formats.
Their Relevance in the IPL
Even at the advanced ages of 32 and 42 respectively, Kohli and Dhoni continue to shine in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kohli is the all-time leading scorer in the tournament, while Dhoni has guided the Chennai Super Kings to three championships.
Top 5 FAQs
Who does Shane Watson consider the most mentally strong cricketers?
What are the unique qualities that set Kohli and Dhoni apart?
How have Kohli and Dhoni impacted the Indian cricket team?
Are Kohli and Dhoni still relevant in the IPL?
What do Kohli and Dhoni's achievements reveal about mental strength in cricket?
During the club's annual general meeting, Real Madrid's outspoken president, Florentino Perez, criticized top football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA for the new Champions League format and increased number of matches. He also blamed these changes for the injury woes of several players in the team. Perez's strong words emphasize the ongoing tension between club owners and the authorities, and highlight the potential consequences of prioritizing commercial interests over the well-being of players and the sport itself.
In a career that has been marked by numerous successes, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli added another milestone as he scored his 30th Test hundred against Australia in Perth. Not only did he surpass the legendary Sir Donald Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundreds, but he also broke his own personal drought of not scoring a century since July 2023. This knock was not just a personal victory for Kohli, but was also a crucial contribution to the team's cause. Credit was given to his wife, Anushka Sharma, who has been his support through the tough times in his red ball cricket career.
The Premier League title race heated up as Liverpool secured a late 2-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's. After Manchester City's shocking 4-0 loss to Tottenham, the Reds took advantage and extended their lead at the top of the table. Salah proved to be the hero for Liverpool, scoring two goals to secure the win and put his team in a commanding position. Follow the thrilling match between Southampton and Liverpool in our live updates.
The highly anticipated IPL mega auction for 2025 is set to begin on November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With 577 players in the running and 201 slots to be filled across the franchises, fans can expect a thrilling bidding war for some of the biggest names in cricket including Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Mitchell Starc. 12 top players have been split into two groups and will be the first to go under the hammer, followed by the remaining capped and uncapped players. The live telecast will be available on Star Sports with streaming on Jio Cinema. Mark your calendars for March 14, 2025, as the next IPL season begins.
Real Madrid's expectations for success are already sky-high, but with the recent addition of Kylian Mbappe, there may be even more tension within the team. It seems that not all of the players were on board with the Frenchman's transfer, potentially causing disharmony within the squad. This news comes as a surprise since the club is fresh off a historic double-win and the addition of Mbappe was expected to only strengthen their already dominant team.
After a long wait, Indian Cricket team captain Virat Kohli finally hit his first test century since July 2023 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This century not only helped Kohli break out of a rut but also gave India's second innings a much-needed boost with a lead of 533 runs against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium. Kohli's confident and dominant performance, along with able partnerships with Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, has all but put a loss out of equation for India in the ongoing test. Celebrating his century, Kohli dedicated it to his wife Anushka Sharma, who has always been by his side through thick and thin.
Team India sets a challenging target of 534 runs for Australia in the first Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar will play a crucial role in the remaining five Tests over 45 days. The team management's decision to add three spinners to the squad seems strategic, with the sudden preference for all-rounder Washington Sundar, who impressed both legendary Wasim Akram and head coach Ravi Shastri. India's dominant performance in the first innings, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal (161), Virat Kohli (100), and KL Rahul (77), gives them a good start in the tournament.
On Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, Indian openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal took charge, leading India to an unbeaten score of 172/0, effectively 218/0. This puts them in a strong position to push for a victory in the next two days. Despite a tricky pitch, the Indian openers remained determined and focused, showcasing their skill and technique. This day will go down in history for India as they continue to dominate in this prestigious trophy.
21-year-old Nitish Reddy impresses in debut Test match, hitting 41 runs in just 59 balls and showcasing fearlessness against Australia's bowling attack. His upper cut for six off his IPL captain, Pat Cummins, was a highlight of his inning and showed his strength and composure. Reddy's performance helped India reach 150 runs and his partnership with Rishabh Pant helped salvage the innings. As Reddy and Cummins prepare for the IPL 2025 auction where they both retain with Sunrisers Hyderabad, fans can look forward to more thrilling clashes between the teammates.
Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli made history at Optus Stadium, Perth on Sunday by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of most Test centuries by an Indian batter in Australia and equalling former Australian captain Ricky Ponting's record of most 100s in India-Australia Tests played in Australia. Kohli's 30th Test century in 14 matches also helped him overtake Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara in the list of batters with most runs in India-Australia Tests.