dolarkit.com – Strategic News & Policy Briefs

Virat Kohli, India's most followed personality on Instagram with 273 million followers, has scaled back his social media presence. Citing the energy drain from constant online engagement, Kohli prioritized focusing on his game and personal life. While fans may miss his frequent posts, the article revisits some of his most memorable moments shared on the platform.

Aakash Chopra questioned Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's decisions to retire from Test cricket while continuing in ODIs, suggesting they could aim for the 2027 World Cup. He felt their reduced game time is a concern and believed Kohli's legacy will be judged on batting records, noting the absence of ICC trophies under his captaincy.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar addressed fans following the tragic stampede after their IPL victory parade, expressing condolences and solidarity. Virat Kohli echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the heartbreak and offering prayers. RCB announced a compensation package, a memorial, and safety measures, while a judicial commission held organisers responsible for safety lapses.

Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, recently underwent fitness assessments at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru following a break. While the Yo-Yo test was conducted, the Bronco drill, recommended by Strength & Conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux, was absent but might be included during the Asia Cup in Dubai.

Robin Uthappa revealed that his criticism of Virat Kohli's captaincy, specifically regarding Ambati Rayudu's exclusion from the 2019 World Cup squad, strained their personal relationship. Uthappa admitted he should have discussed his concerns with Kohli privately before making them public. He acknowledged the impact of his comments and learned a valuable lesson about communication within the cricket community.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, celebrated for their achievements and strong bond, recently visited Vrindavan with their children to seek blessings from Premanand Maharaj. A video showed them attentively listening to Maharaj's sermon. Anushka recalled a previous visit and expressed her desire for divine love. Maharaj praised their devotion amidst fame.

Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to lumbar bone stress, jeopardizing his Ashes preparation. The injury, discovered after persistent back soreness following the West Indies tour, necessitates further management and rehabilitation. Cricket Australia aims to have Cummins ready for the Ashes series, closely monitoring his progress.

Jitesh Sharma's dream of lifting the IPL trophy alongside Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik materialized after RCB's victory. His impactful performance, particularly his impressive strike rate while batting in the lower order, earned him a spot in India's Asia Cup squad. Despite Kohli's desire to see Jitesh's fun side, Jitesh maintained a respectful distance due to his small-town upbringing.

Mrunal Thakur, known for her roles in ‘Love Sonia’ and ‘Sita Ramam’, once confessed a teenage crush on cricketer Virat Kohli. An old statement resurfaced recently, sparking online chatter, to which Mrunal reacted firmly. She had also spoken about turning down films early in her career and missing out on ‘Sultan’.

Gautam Gambhir was celebrated at the DPL 2025 final, where he playfully tagged cricketers with fitting descriptions. West Delhi Lions, led by Nitish Rana's unbeaten 79, clinched the title by defeating Central Delhi Kings. Rana's consistent performance throughout the playoffs and Gambhir's presence added excitement to the event.

Despite their strong bond and memorable IPL partnerships for RCB, AB de Villiers didn't include Virat Kohli in his top five Test cricketers. De Villiers named Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Mohammad Asif, Shane Warne, and Sachin Tendulkar. He praised Kallis as potentially the best cricketer ever and Asif as the best seamer he faced.

Actress Avneet Kaur addressed trolling in light of the Virat Kohli controversy, emphasizing the importance of family support in navigating online negativity. She acknowledged feeling low at times but highlighted her family's role in reminding her of her dreams and hard work. Kaur urged people to spread positivity and neutrality, advocating against putting others down while expressing opinions.

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers revealed his fondness for batting with Virat Kohli during his 11 seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Their synergy led to five 100+ partnerships and two 200+ partnerships in IPL. De Villiers highlighted their shared competitive spirit and proactive approach to dismantling bowlers, recalling memorable partnerships at Wankhede and Chinnaswamy stadiums amidst electrifying crowds.

Singer Badshah sought wisdom from Premanand Ji Maharaj in Vrindavan, listening intently as his brother questioned life's truths. Previously, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra visited, with Kundra offering a kidney donation to the guru. Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, and other Bollywood figures like Mika Singh and Hema Malini have also sought blessings from Maharaj.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar feels Joe Root could face a similar fate as Virat Kohli in Tests, if he fails to score runs in the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

Shubman Gill and other senior Indian cricketers are at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. They are undergoing fitness analysis. Rohit Sharma is preparing for the Australia tour. Speculation suggests Rohit and Virat Kohli may play in the India A series against Australia A. This series will provide valuable match practice. Rohit last played competitively in June.

Rohit Sharma, India's ODI captain, is set to undergo fitness assessments at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru starting September 13, including the newly-introduced Bronco Test. He'll also practice there to prepare for the Australia white-ball tour in November.

Manoj Tiwary, former Indian cricketer, suggests the newly introduced Bronco Test in Indian cricket might be a strategy to exclude Rohit Sharma from the team, especially with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon. He questions the timing of this endurance-focused test, contrasting it with previous instances where fitness benchmarks seemingly sidelined senior players like Gambhir and Sehwag.

Neil Wagner recounted the 2014 Auckland Test against India, highlighting Virat Kohli's vulnerability to short balls. Wagner revealed how Eden Park's surface allowed him to unsettle Kohli, leading to his dismissal. Despite a strong chase led by Dhoni and Jadeja, Wagner's crucial dismissal of Dhoni secured New Zealand's 40-run victory, showcasing his tactical acumen.

Shah Rukh Khan affectionately refers to Virat Kohli as Bollywood's 'son-in-law,' highlighting his close bond with both Virat and Anushka Sharma. SRK fondly remembers spending time with the couple during their early dating days, solidifying their friendship. While SRK prepares for 'King,' Anushka is set to star in 'Chakda 'Xpress,' a biopic on Jhulan Goswami.