Rishabh Pant has won over the hearts of many with his selflessness on the field. Many had expected him to take it easy after recovering from a road accident. But he proved everyone wrong that he is willing to play for the team. he proved his aggressive batting. Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara appreciated Pant's decision. He tweeted: "It would have been easy for Rishabh to come out later & rest but decided to bat for his side."

Sangakkara's statement indicates that Pant could have opted for the easy route. He could have arrived to bat a little later and take more time to heal. But he decided to rise up when the team required him. England's previous captain Nasser Hussain also commented on Pant. He stated: "He is a team man, small things matter for a team."

COMMENTARY ON RISHABH PANT 📢

Kumar Sangakkara said "It would have been easy for Rishabh to come out later & rest but decided to bat for his side".

Nasser Hussain said "He is a team man, small things matter for a team". pic.twitter.com/FGBxGynhZw

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 11, 2025

Hussain was trying to say that these little decisions reflect what type of individual Pant is. Although it may not appear big to others, batting early is a lot to the team. It demonstrates courage and concern for teammates.

ALSO READ: [WATCH]: Rishabh Pant sweats in net session with injured finger during ENG vs IND 3rd Test

Pant's return after his accident is not only about scoring runs. It is about demonstrating heart, courage, and love for the team. He toiled for months to regain fitness. Through prioritizing the team, he demonstrated that he is not only a good player but also a team player. Supporters and ex-players admire him even more today. Because cricket is not simply hitting sixes or getting wickets it is also about standing tall for your team when it really counts.

Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has expressed strong criticism over India’s decision to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England. Despite earlier announcements that Bumrah wouldn’t be playing all five matches of the series, many experts and fans believed his inclusion in the second Test was crucial—especially after India’s defeat in the series opener. Sangakkara, speaking on Sky Sports, was visibly surprised and questioned the logic behind the decision.

"Interesting to understand how the decision is being made and who makes it.? Is it after a consultation with the players or the physios? It depends on whether the Lord's Test is more important than the series. The series is on the line," he said. According to Sangakkara, with India under pressure after losing the first match, this was the time when someone like Bumrah was needed to give the team a push.

"If we see the score, it's an even day, perhaps a little bit more tilted towards England with the five wickets down. So I would have expected the coach to have gone to Bumrah and said, 'Yes, we thought you might play the 3rd and the 5th Test, but we're going 1 and 2. Take a look if you can play the third; if you can, because then you've got two weeks off before the next one," he added, suggesting India should have adapted based on the situation.

Sangakkara Also Questions Omission of Kuldeep, Points to Recent Test Struggles

Sangakkara also touched upon the exclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav, which didn’t sit well with fans or pundits. He felt the decision-making reflected a reactive approach and was influenced by India’s recent poor run in Test matches.

See Also: [WATCH]: 'I Was Having My Dinner....' - Shubman Gill trolls BCCI after double ton in 2nd Test

“It’s not just a reaction to the last Test. I think there is a bit of chat about the last 9–10. Seven losses, one win, and one draw. There is a little bit of baggage as well to turn that pattern around. So there was a lot of pressure, and they were looking at this game and thinking, ‘alright, what can we do?’ and they rang in all the changes," Sangakkara said, pointing to the team’s recent record and the weight it carries into current selections.

Kumar Sangakkara and Virat Kohli are two huge names in international cricket. Having been the stalwarts of their respective nations in every game format in their playing days, they have left an indelible mark on the current and future generations. Both have been outstanding, prolific, and a cut above the rest. Their elegance was unmatchable, and the world was awestruck when the ball hit the sweet spot of their bats and raced towards the boundary. Their competitive nature added an extra bit of spice to the India-Sri Lanka encounters, and their camaraderie off the pitch was worth every bit of appreciation. Their batting prowess, coupled with immaculate leadership skills, elevated them to a legendary status. Records and statistics are genuine proof of that. 

Kumar bid adieu to Test Cricket on August 24, 2015. His last match in the longest format of the game was against India in Colombo as part of a two-match series. He was given a fitting guard of honour by the Indian side, and the entire moment was very emotional for him. His family was beside him on that occasion, and the whole of Sri Lanka and the cricketing world were proud to have seen a player of his calibre grace the field for as long as he did. This brought curtains to an illustrious international career and one that will inspire the next crop of budding cricketers for a very long time. 

Kohli, on the other hand, just recently announced his test retirement, leaving millions of cricket fans across the globe surprised. The news caught everyone off guard and was highly unexpected. The Indian veteran always loved to don the whites and was nothing short of an ambassador for the purest format of the game, even in the current T20 era. His passion, seriousness, and intrusive playing style made test cricket attractive again, and hence worth loving by fans of all ages. Under him, India excelled extremely well and made a name for itself on foreign soil. Virat has been a part of the cricket's 'Fab-4' for a long period. And his test records, including the number of tons and double tons he scored, made him arguably one of the greats in the five-day format.  

See Also: List of all Virat Kohli centuries in Test cricket

Curiosity arises among fans as to who has been a better red-ball player for their nation and between themselves. Virat or Kumar? A deeper dive into their test cricket statistics may help one answer that question. An interesting thing here would be their performances in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, and that shall conclude and reveal the better batter. 

Virat Kohli vs Kumar Sangakkara in SENA countries

The Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batter and the Indian batting great have played a similar number of matches. The stark difference is in the runs they scored overall. The former leads the latter by around 3000 runs. Sanga's average is also better than Virat's, above the golden 50 mark and nearing 60. The Indian could accumulate 30 hundreds in his flamboyant career, eight less than Kumar's tally.  

Virat Kohli has scored more test centuries (19) in SENA countries than in India. In 84 innings, he scored 3,591 runs with an average of 43, making him the 3rd Asian batter with the most test runs there. For Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara is the highest run scorer in the SENA countries. In 59 test innings, he scored 2,526 runs with an average of 45, amassing 11 centuries as well. While Virat might have struck more runs and centuries on foreign soil in a greater number of innings, his average is yet just a tad less than that of Sanga's. 

The left-handed Lankan batter retired ten years before the right-handed Indian talisman. The statistics give a slight edge to the former, but no one can deny the evergreen presence of both players on their respective sides. Sanga mostly played in an era when T20 cricket was still setting foot on the stage, while Virat excelled in a time when the game became fast-paced and less patient. Both have been great servants for their nation, and the game desperately needs more legends and icons like them. 

Kumar Sangakkara stands as the remaining batter to realize the giant task of 10,000 ODI and Test runs, an achievement that was narrowly avoided by Virat Kohli, making fans and critics ponder what may have been. Sangakkara, the great Sri Lankan, hung up his boots in 2015 with 12,400 ODI runs in 404 matches at 41.98, with 25 hundreds, and 12,305 Test runs in 134 matches at 57.40, with 38 hundreds. His consistency in both formats puts him in a select group with Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis, who also reached the 10,000-run barrier in both formats.

One of cricket's great contemporary players, Kohli, almost made it to this elite club before declaring his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, following India's tour of England. With 14,181 runs in 290 ODIs at a strike rate of 58.18, including 50 tons, Kohli was only 94 Test runs away from making it to 10,000, having scored 9,906 runs in 123 Tests at 48.32, with 30 tons. His last chance was in the England series in June 2025, but Kohli was short, falling short of the dual-format mark by a whisker.

The lost chance triggered social media debate; Kohli was only 94 runs away from joining the likes of Tendulkar, Sangakkara, and others who have attained this rare distinction. Even though Kohli retired from Tests, his ODI skills keep him in the running to overtake Sangakkara's 14,234 ODI runs, as he continues to pursue Tendulkar's record of 18,426 runs in the format. His Test retirement closed the window to join this exclusive club.

Test Retirement Costs Kohli a Historic Dual-Format Record

Kohli’s retirement from Tests, which came about from wanting to only focus on ODIs and the IPL after he had already retired from T20Is following the 2024 World Cup win, ended a phenomenal red ball journey that began in 2011 with his previous retirement from T20Is. His retirement took away any chance of him getting the 94 runs needed to reach 10,000 Test runs which would have solidified his status as one of the greatest of all time in either format. 

Kumar Sangakkara was the last batter to complete 10,000 runs in ODIs & Tests ✨

- Kohli missed the Golden opportunity to enter into the Elite List. pic.twitter.com/0sCMc6soTD

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 12, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025 revised schedule announced by BCCI: Check full schedule here

Looking ahead, Kohli would be aiming for the 2027 ODI World Cup, to bring a glory road to India and take the title away from Sangakkara's ODI runs total. Kohli will always remain a titan of batting, and while he won't get the dual format record, his ODI records will inspire the next generation for batting records.

Kumar Sangakkara rolled back the years with a sensational century, leading Sri Lanka Masters to a dominant nine-wicket victory over England Masters in their final group-stage match of the International Masters League (IML) 2025. His breathtaking innings of 106* off just 47 balls left the crowd in awe and secured Sri Lanka Masters' position at the top of the points table.

A Century of Pure Class

Chasing a target of 147, Sri Lanka Masters needed to reach it within 15.4 overs to claim the top spot. Sangakkara took charge from the very beginning, unleashing a flurry of exquisite strokes all around the ground. His unbeaten 106 included 19 fours and a six, showcasing his perfect timing and placement.

The former Sri Lankan captain controlled the chase masterfully, punishing loose deliveries while effortlessly rotating the strike. His innings was a mix of classic drives, elegant flicks, and aggressive cuts, reminding everyone why he was once one of the best batsmen in the world.

ALSO SEE: ICC Reveals the Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament

𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧. 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞! 💯

Sangakkara’s 𝟏𝟎𝟔* wasn’t just a knock - it was a 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕! 💥 Leading #SriLankaMasters to a spectacular victory with the winning shot! #IMLT20 #TheBaapsOfCricket #IMLonJioHotstar #IMLonCineplex pic.twitter.com/pFle5IJmeg

— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 10, 2025

Breaking Records and Leading from the Front

Sangakkara’s century is one of the fastest in IML 2025, coming off just 47 balls. More importantly, it was an innings of intent and dominance, ensuring Sri Lanka Masters finished the group stage on a high note.

With this commanding performance, Sri Lanka Masters head into the semi-finals with momentum, while England Masters bow out of the tournament. Sangakkara’s brilliance with the bat proved once again that class is permanent, leaving fans with a knock to remember.

Success in international cricket is measured by titles, performances under pressure and match winning performances. One major metric to gauge a player’s impact is the number of wins he has been part of in ICC white ball events (ODIs and T20Is). A recent list has the top cricketers with the most wins in ICC events and it’s no surprise that modern day greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma top the list.

With 72 wins in 90 matches, Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has been part of the most number of wins in ICC white ball tournaments. His ability to perform on the biggest stage, whether in World Cups, Champions Trophy or T20 World Cups, makes him one of the most important cricketers of his era. Kohli’s match winning performances, especially in high pressure games have been the reason for India’s success over the years.

India’s current captain Rohit Sharma is just behind Kohli with 70 wins in 90 matches. He is known for his effortless stroke play and ability to rise in big tournaments, Rohit has been a key player in India’s wins in ICC events.He has centuries in World Cups and has led, so he’s one of the all time greats.

The list also features some of the most decorated cricketers in history.

• Mahela Jayawardene (Sri lanka) - 57 wins in 93 matches
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 56 wins in 90 matches
• Ravindra Jadeja (India) - 52 wins in 70 matches
• Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 52 wins 70 matches
• MS Dhoni (India) - 52 wins in 78 matches                                                                                                                                                                                         

Sri Lankan greats Jayawardene and Sangakkara were the main men in their team’s success in the 2000s and early 2010s, taking Sri Lanka to multiple ICC finals, including a T20 World Cup win in 2014.

Part of Most wins in ICC Events (White Ball)

72 - Virat Kohli (90 Matches)
70 - Rohit Sharma (90 Matches)
57 - Mahela Jayawardene (93 Matches)
56 - Kumar Sangakkara (90 Matches)
52 - Ravindra Jadeja (66 Matches)
52 - Ricky Ponting (70 Matches)
52 - MS Dhoni (78 Matches)… pic.twitter.com/Ewz1f7K7s2

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 10, 2025

Also Read: Cricketers Who Made Stunning Comebacks Thanks to IPL

MS Dhoni, the Indian captain, is also on this list with 52 wins in 78 matches. He led India to win the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, so he’s one of the most successful captains in ICC history.

It is a mark of the players' consistent performances and their ability to perform in the clutch in ICC white ball events that the list is as it stands today. This has written a new chapter in the history of cricket with Kohli and Rohit leading India as captain, while legends of the game like Dhoni, Ponting and Jayawardene have come to the crease and left their mark. As the next ICC tournaments approach, fans will be waiting to see who rises to the top and adds to their legacy.

Cricket is not just about skills; it’s also about smart thinking and aggressive thinking and taking the right moves according to the game. Some players have an incredible ability to read the game, plan, and make quick decisions that give them an edge over their opponents. Here are five cricketers who used their intelligence to stay ahead of the game.

5. Sachin Tendulkar – The Mastermind of Batting

Sachin Tendulkar (a record-breaking batsman) is a player with a sharp cricketing brain who makes smart decisions in the game. He could read the bowler’s movements, understand pitch conditions, and adjust his shots accordingly. His deep knowledge of the game helped him become the highest run scorer in both Tests and ODIs, proving that intelligence plays a huge role in cricket.

4. Kane Williamson – The Calm Strategist Player

Kane Williamson is known for his cool and calm approach to the game. As captain, he led New Zealand to their first-ever ICC World Test Championship title in 2021. His ability to handle pressure, adjust to match situations, make smart tactical moves, and read the game quickly makes him one of the most intelligent cricketers of the modern era.

See also: Most runs on ODI Debut

3. Kumar Sangakkara – The Smart and Skilled Cricketer

Kumar Sangakkara was more than just a great batsman; he was a deep thinker of the game. He had an amazing ability to read bowlers, plan his innings, and guide his team with smart decisions. As a captain, he helped Sri Lanka as a strong team, mentoring young players and ensuring his team always had a solid strategy and promising decisions in the game.

2. Ricky Ponting – The Aggressive Tactician

Ricky Ponting was not just a great batsman but also a brilliant thinker in the game. As Australia’s captain, he made bold decisions that helped his team dominate world cricket. Under his leadership, Australia won the ODI World Cup in 2003 and 2007. His sharp understanding of the game and fearless captaincy made him a tough opponent to beat.

See also: Indian Batsmen with the Most Centuries After Turning 30

1. MS Dhoni – The Cool and Clever Captain

MS Dhoni is known as one of the smartest captains in cricket history. His ability to stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions helped India win big tournaments like the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy. Whether it was making smart bowling changes or setting tricky field placements, Dhoni always seemed one step ahead of the opposition.

Whether it was Dhoni’s cool decisions, Kohli’s aggressive planning, Ponting’s sharp captaincy, Lara’s unpredictable batting, or Tendulkar’s deep game knowledge, each of them used intelligence to dominate the sport. They showed that thinking smart can be just as powerful as hitting big sixes or bowling fast.

The International Masters League (IML) has announced the schedule and squads for its first season, starting on February 22. The tournament will started with an exciting match between India and Sri Lanka in Navi Mumbai.  

IML 2025 has  six teams -India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, and England made up of retired cricket legends. The matches will be played in three cities. The first five games in Navi Mumbai, followed six matches in Rajkot and the tournament will move to Raipur for the semifinals and the grand finale.

IML 2025 Schedule: Full Fixtures, Stages, and Venues

Navi Mumbai Stage

February 22: India Masters vs Sri Lanka Masters – 7:30 PM

February 24: West Indies Masters vs Australia Masters – 7:30 PM

February 25: India Masters vs England Masters – 7:30 PM

February 26: South Africa Masters vs Sri Lanka Masters – 7:30 PM

February 27: West Indies Masters vs England Masters – 7:30 PM

Rajkot Stage

February 28: Sri Lanka Masters vs Australia Masters – 7:30 PM

March 1: India Masters vs South Africa Masters – 7:30 PM

March 3: South Africa Masters vs England Masters – 7:30 PM

March 5: India Masters vs Australia Masters – 7:30 PM

March 6: West Indies Masters vs England Masters – 7:30 PM

March 7: Australia Masters vs South Africa Masters – 7:30 PM

Raipur Stage

March 8: India Masters vs West Indies Masters – 7:30 PM

March 10: Sri Lanka Masters vs England Masters – 7:30 PM

March 11: West Indies Masters vs South Africa Masters – 7:30 PM

March 12: England Masters vs Australia Masters – 7:30 PM

Semi-Finals & Final

March 13: Semi-Final 1 – 7:30 PM (Raipur)

March 14: Semi-Final 2 – 7:30 PM (Raipur)

March 16: Final – 7:30 PM (Raipur)

ALSO READ: If Cricket Was a Game of Chess, These 5 Players Would Be Grandmasters

International Masters League 2025: Full Team Squads

India Masters Squad

Australia Masters Squad

West Indies Masters Squad

England Masters Squad

South Africa Masters Squad

Sri Lanka Masters Squad

International Masters League 2025: Where to Watch

TV Telecast:

• Colors Cineplex SD/HD
• Colors Cineplex Superhits

Live Streaming:

• Disney+ Hotstar (India)

Once again, Virat Kohli demonstrates why he is one of the best players of all time in the game. India's batting icon Virat Kohli has now crossed the milestone of 16,000 international runs across all formats, becoming the fourth player in history to hit this super-tall target.

Fastest 16000 runs 
Kohli achieved this in just 340 innings, thus becoming the fastest batsman to this milestone. He has now overtaken Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara, who holds the record for achieving this feat in 410 innings. The achievement perfectly encapsulates Kohli, his consistency, and true raw skill & domination in the international game year after year.

The all-time 16000+ International Runs classified players
Before Kohli, there were only 3 other batsmen who had managed 16000+ runs in International Cricket. They are:
Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
This brings Kohli as the best batsman that ever played in cricket, hence further establishing him as one of them.

Virat Kohli becomes the fastest to reach 16,000 runs in Asia. 🐐🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/03E66o5dFD

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 12, 2025

Kohli's Contribution to International Cricket
Kohli Started his career in 2008, and India's batting has been incomplete without him since those days. His ability to so with ease track endless strike rates, and anchor innings against pressure separates him. He has still broken so many records and defined the standards for the next generation over the ropes.

ALSO READ: PAK vs SA Tri series Live Streaming&: Where & How to Watch the Match Online & on TV

Kohli is also a great captain, and this does not mean his batting only but apart from this. He has been instrumental in leading India to some unforgettable wins and helped lay down a solid foundation of cricket culture in this country..

The International Masters League (IML) T20 2025 promises a thrilling display of world-class cricket as great cricketers from all corners of the globe come out to have some fun in a T20 competition. Scheduled to kick off on February 22, 2025. when some of the biggest names in cricket captain six teams, every team representing a major cricketing nation.

Participating Teams and Captains

• India Masters – Captain: Sachin Tendulkar
• Sri Lanka Masters – Captain: Kumar Sangakkara
• West Indies Masters – Captain: Brian Lara
• Australia Masters – Captain: Shane Watson
• South Africa Masters – Captain: Jacques Kallis
• England Masters – Captain: Eoin Morgan

Venues for IMLT20:

• Navi Mumbai
• Vadodara
• Raipur

ALSO READ: Probable Finalists of the Champions Trophy 2025

Schedule for IMLT20 2025:

Schedule according to the venues and Date :

Navi Mumbai

Raipur

THE FULL SCHEDULE OF IML T20:

- Navi Mumbai, Vadodara, Raipur to host the legendary cricketers like Sachin, Sangakkara, Yuvraj, Watson, Morgan, Gayle, Lara. pic.twitter.com/Cd3OCAyjqs

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 5, 2025

Livestream and Telecast:

Fans can watch live in Disney+Hotstar, while Colors cinplex SD/HD and Colors cinplex Supherhits will telecast.

Have fun watching your cricket legends in to an action.