Indian cricket star Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20I after leading Team India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite facing a slump in the tournament, Kohli emerged as the hero of the final match against South Africa, smashing 76 runs and earning the Player of the Match award. In a revealing podcast, former India football team captain Sunil Chhetri shared a different side of Kohli, describing him as a humorous and genuine person. Chhetri also spoke about their bond of friendship, often revolving around memes and food.
Virat Kohli and Sunil Chhetri: Shared Rivalry, Unbreakable Bond
In the vibrant tapestry of Indian sports, two icons stand tall: Virat Kohli, the indomitable captain of the Indian cricket team, and Sunil Chhetri, the legendary captain of the Indian football team. Their contrasting paths, marked by both rivalry and camaraderie, have forged an unbreakable bond between these two sporting stalwarts.
A Friendly Rivalry
Despite representing different sports, Kohli and Chhetri share a deep-seated competitive streak. The duo often engage in playful banter, each trying to outdo the other in their respective fields. In a recent interview, Chhetri joked that he would love to swap roles with Kohli, taking on the captaincy of the cricket team while Kohli ventured into football.
A Common Ground
Beyond their rivalry, Kohli and Chhetri share a common ground in their unwavering passion for their country. They have both represented India with immense pride and distinction, inspiring countless young athletes. In a podcast with Chhetri, Kohli revealed that his biggest dream was to win the T20 World Cup for India, a goal he ultimately achieved in 2024.
A Humorous and Genuine Bond
Off the field, Kohli and Chhetri enjoy a close friendship. Chhetri, known for his witty sense of humor, has described Kohli as a "genuine and humble" person. The duo often share memes and food, bonding over their shared interests and experiences.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Has Sunil Chhetri ever scored a goal against Virat Kohli?
No, Chhetri has never faced Kohli in a football match.
2. What team does Sunil Chhetri play for?
Chhetri currently plays for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
3. What was the result of the 2024 T20 World Cup final?
India defeated South Africa by 7 wickets to win the 2024 T20 World Cup.
4. How many runs did Virat Kohli score in the T20 World Cup 2024 final?
Kohli scored 76 runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 final.
5. What is the Durand Cup?
The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia, first played in 1888.
Chelsea emerged victorious against Leicester with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez in the first and second half respectively. Mads Hermansen's save and a disallowed goal added to the intensity of the game, but the visitors held on to secure all three points. This win puts Chelsea just one point behind 2nd placed Manchester City in the Premier League standings.
Arsenal and Brighton both clinched 1-0 victories in their respective matches against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, thanks to goals from Pedro and Saka. In other matches, Aston Villa and Wolves each scored equalizers against Crystal Palace and Fulham, while Manchester City took on Tottenham in a late match. Chelsea kicked off the day with a win against Leicester, and football fans can share their thoughts through #bbcfootball on WhatsApp or text.
Football pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch express their frustration with VAR after key decisions in the match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. Chelsea are currently leading 1-0 at half-time, thanks to a goal from Nicolas Jackson. The TNT Sports commentators believe Leicester should have been reduced to ten men after a dangerous tackle from Wilfred Ndidi, but VAR chose not to intervene. Cole and Crouch argue that the tackle could have seriously injured Chelsea's Cole Palmer.
Chelsea dominated Leicester City in their Premier League clash, with Nicolas Jackson scoring the only goal of the match in the 15th minute. The grudge match saw Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca returning to his old club for the first time since leaving in the summer. Despite having a goal disallowed for offside, the Blues were in complete control with around 70% possession. Young talent Noni Madueke also impressed, but had his goal ruled out for an offside call that was later revealed to be incorrect after the Spaniard was the one who cut the ball back for Madueke.
Chelsea secured a 2-1 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez. The victory was extra special for Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, who returned to his former club and led his team to victory. Fernandez was the standout performer for Chelsea, scoring a goal and providing an assist in an impressive display.
In a dominant display of batting, rising Indian star Yashasvi Jaiswal has set a new world record for most sixes hit by a batter in a single calendar year in Test cricket. His valiant knock of 90 runs from 193 balls in the first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth saw him hit seven fours and two crucial sixes, surpassing the previous record held by former New Zealand great Brendon McCullum. With this feat, Jaiswal has already broken the all-time India record set by Virender Sehwag earlier this year, proving his potential as a budding opening batsman.
Tilak Varma, the third-best T20I batter in the world, smashed 151 runs off 67 balls in Hyderabad's win over Meghalaya, setting a new record for the highest individual score in SMAT history. This was also Tilak's third consecutive T20 hundred, making him the first batter to achieve this feat. Hyderabad's total of 248 for six was its highest score in the tournament, while Meghalaya managed to score a mere 69 runs in response.
In his Test debut against Australia, Yashasvi Jaiswal showed commendable strength and confidence as he held his own against fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Despite being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, Jaiswal came back stronger in the second innings, helping India establish a lead with a half-century and a century partnership with KL Rahul. With his sights set on becoming the future of Indian Test cricket, Jaiswal is proving that he can perform under pressure on the international stage.
After a disappointing loss to Real Sociedad, Barcelona returns to LaLiga action against Celta Vigo, who have been struggling in the bottom half of the standings. Despite their defeat, Barcelona remains the league leaders and will be determined to continue their dominant run. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo will be looking for an upset against the top team.
Despite the fierce competition between the two nations, the camaraderie between Indian debutant Harshit Rana and Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc during the Perth Test was a heartwarming moment. Starc's friendly jibe to Rana about his bowling speed brought a smile to the latter's face, highlighting the bond they formed while playing together for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. While Starc played a crucial role in KKR's title win with his impressive spells, Rana contributed to the team's success with 19 wickets. Their friendly banter on the field shows the growing camaraderie between players from different countries, breaking traditional rivalries.