Some familiar surnames are set to grab attention at the upcoming Delhi Premier League (DPL) auction on July 5. One of the young cricketers that is going to be auctioned is Aaryaveer Kohli, the 15 years old son of Vikas Kohli, who’s the eldest brother of Virat Kohli. Aaryaveer, a leg-spinner, is slotted in Category C and was a registered player for Delhi Under-16s last season. He currently trains under Raj Kumar Sharma, who also coached Virat Kohli during his formative years.

Another name drawing interest is Aaryavir Sehwag, the 17-year-old son of former Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Aaryavir has already made an impact at the Under-19 level, including a massive 297-run knock against Meghalaya. He features in Category B of the DPL auction. Joining him in the same category is his 15-year-old younger brother, Vedant Sehwag, an off-spinner who has represented Delhi Under-16s.

The 2024 season of the DPL included teams such as the South Delhi Superstarz, East Delhi Riders, Central Delhi Kings, North Delhi Strikers, West Delhi Lions, and Purani Dilli 6. With the addition of the Outer Delhi and New Delhi teams entering the league for the 2025 season, the league has expanded in both region and competition.

High-Stakes Cricket and Rising Talents in the DPL

The DPL has already seen notable cricketers like Ayush Badoni, Anuj Rawat, Ishant Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana, and Suyash Sharma participate in 2024. In a dramatic final, East Delhi Riders edged past South Delhi Superstarz by three runs to win the inaugural title in New Delhi. Mayank Rawat’s unbeaten 78 off 39 balls powered East Delhi to 183/5 with a late onslaught that included seven fours and six sixes.

See Also: Another allegation on RCB star: Yash Dayal "Used Money, Fame And Power To Cover-Up" harassment case

Simarjeet Singh and Raunak Waghela each picked up three wickets to restrict the opposition in a tense chase. The Superstarz faltered early, losing key batters Priyansh Arya (6 off 2) and Ayush Badoni (7 off 5) to Bhagwan Singh and Simarjeet, which derailed their pursuit despite being in touch with the required run rate.

Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I captain following the team’s poor campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Shortly after, the BCCI replaced him as the ODI skipper, handing over the reins to Rohit Sharma. In 2022, Kohli also resigned as Test captain. Since taking over, Rohit Sharma has led India to notable success, including winning the T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, showcasing his strong leadership across formats.

In a chat on R Ashwin’s YouTube show, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was asked to evaluate Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's styles of captaincy. The mystery spinner had played under both leaders, and he discussed how you can see the captaincy style of both in their respective approaches on the field. His view gave fans a closer glimpse into both players' varied styles, leadership qualities, and how, now, perhaps the team is approaching both of them differently through Rohit’s more recent and successful term as captain.

See Also: Former Pakistan all rounder appointed as new Test Head coach for upcoming series

“Virat is a true leader. When you just see him, when you just observe what he is doing and you must have also noticed the match against Pakistan, you were also there. We lost first two wickets to Shaheen Shah Afridi. But when Virat came, he stepped down and hit Shaheen for six and it was so inspiring and motivational, but how he is giving it back and all this. So Virat is exceptional, as in the way he can he can cheer up everyone. So the main thing was whenever I spoke to him his answers were very motivational and in that thing and when I spoke to Rohit Sharma, it was very tactical. So it was two different parts,” Varun Chakravarthy said.

Ashwin backs Varun's claim on the captaincy debate

Ashwin, hosting the discussion, agreed with Varun Chakaravarthy’s views and highlighted the difference in leadership styles between the two former captains. He described Virat Kohli as an inspirational figure who leads by example — always visible, intensely involved in training and practice, and motivating the team through his presence and energy. In contrast, Rohit Sharma was praised for his tactical mindset, with Ashwin noting that Rohit’s strategies are well thought out, particularly when it comes to field placements and exploiting opposition batters’ weaknesses.

Recently Kohli and Rohit became retired players of Test cricket, the retired players from T20Is. Their retirements have led to the end of an era for Indian cricket, but they have both begun an era where succession is evolving. The ongoing Test series against England displays this generation shift, as Shubman Gill becomes captain and Rishabh Pant is his vice-captain. The transfer of leadership represents a new beginning, a new chapter, as India steps towards the future.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali ranked in the top 10 ODI batters in the world. Needless to say, the list is full of star cricketers. It was a blindfold video, so Ali had no clue which name to mention to be ranked. Interestingly, Virat Kohli's name was not mentioned even once in the video. So, the list of top 10 ODI batsmen in the world Moeen Ali named was without Virat Kohli, which is definitely shocking for cricket lovers.

The video started with mentioning former Australia international David Warner's name. Ali put the opener in number 4 and then put South Africa's former Hashim Amla in the number 3 spot. Then he put Quinton De Kock and Kevin Pietersen at 6 and 5, respectively. Thus, AB de Villiers is placed at number 1 and Rohit Sharma at 2. 

Top 10 ODI batters through a blindfold test: 

1. AB de Villiers 

2. Rohit Sharma 

3. Hashim Amla 

4. David Warner 

5. Kevin Pietersen

6. Quinton De Kock

7. Chris Gayle

8. MS Dhoni 

9. Babar Azam 

10. Kumar Sangakkara

Read More: Jay Shah's latest incredible achievement makes Indian cricket proud

It was a blindfold test, so Ali perhaps had no clue which name was going to pop up and when. The game is mostly dependent on assumptions and ball knowledge. A blindfold test and someone's dream team can be different. It was not a dream ODI team picked by Moeen Ali. 

Picking an all-time ODI XI will be a very difficult task for anyone to do. Over the years every cricket-playing nation has gottenheroes in the game. India has multiple legends, the same for Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and other top countries in the ICC's list. 

Watch the video here 

Blud didn’t include his bunny Virat Kohli, in the top 10 ODI batters.😭🔥

pic.twitter.com/PTWU24kSxw

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) June 30, 2025

Only a couple of days left before India will take on England for the 2nd of the 5-match Test series. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir's observation, the boys in blue are preparing for their next assignment in Edgbaston. Before the England vs. India 2nd Test match, former India cricketer, now a cricket expert and commentator, Aakash Chopra picked his all-time favorite India Test XI.

In his combination, Chopra named some surprising entries in the line-up, and he chose not to pick some of the stars of Indian cricket. Chopra did not mention Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, or Mahendra Singh Dhoni in his team. Though he tried to create a balanced squad on pen and paper. 

For the opening spots, Chopra chose the combination of Sunil Gavaskar and Virendra Sehwag—two contradictory batters to start the innings. At numbers 3, 4, and 5, Aakash named Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli. Surprisingly, the cricket expert did not place Dhoni in the wicketkeeping position. Instead, he went to Rishabh Pant to add some extra firepower to the line.

Read More: England fined for slow over rate in opening T20I match against India

Chopra choose Pant as the keeper 

"At No. 6, I have kept Rishabh Pant. When I had made the team three or four years ago, I had kept MS Dhoni's name. However, now I feel you have to put Rishabh Pant. If the guy becomes part of India's all-time Test XI at 25 years of age, you doff your hat. He is worth his weight in gold," Chopra said in his YouTube video. 

At number 7, he picked Kapil Dev, and then at 8, Ravichandran Ashwin found his place. Ashwin and Anil Kumble are the duo for all the spin work for the specially picked XI. As seamers, Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan got Chopra's vote. 

Aakash Chopra's all-time India Test XI: Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Kapil Dev, Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan

On this day, India won the T20I World Cup after a 17-year wait. The match against South Africa in Bridgetown was filled with thrills in every fold. There was a point in the match where Aiden Markram's team was looking solid to win the silverware. But India, with multiple game changers in the playing XI, did not want to wait any longer to claim the prestigious title. Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch, perhaps the catch of the tournament, stalled the result between two sides. India, captained by Rohit Sharma, became the champion of the 2024 ICC T20I World Cup. 

In the first innings, India was in deep trouble when a rampant Keshav Maharaj took the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant in 3 balls, and Kagiso Rabada departed Suryakumar Yadav after a few deliveries. When the stage is big and matters are looking complicated, it's the perfect scenario for Virat Kohli to shine. Kohli scored 76 runs off 59 deliveries. In the later part of the innings, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube played 47- and 27-run innings, respectively, to take their team to 176 runs. 

A team with fiery batters like Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen could easily achieve the total, but Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh had their inch-perfect plans to create a castle to defend the fighting total. Pandya was on a different level on that day. The all-rounder took 3 wickets in 3 overs.

Read More: OTD: Sachin Tendulkar completed individual 15,000 ODI runs

Virat's batting and Pandya's bowling cherished crores of dream

Klaasen (52) and Miller (21) were among the dangerous batters who lost their wickets against Pandya. The moment when Klaasen was looking to shift the gears, Pandya struck. India won the match by only a 7-run margin. 

After the game, Captain Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his unforgettable contributions throughout the series. "No one was in doubt about the form of Virat, on top of his game for the last 15 years. Come the occasion, big players stand up. It is crucial to hold that end for the others to play around him. Team effort because it wasn't a wicket to bat freely. He did that perfectly; that experience all the years come together, and Axar's batting was crucial," Rohit said. 

Vaibhav Suryavanshi slammed a 19-ball 48 as India U19 thrashed England U19 by six wickets in the 1st Youth ODI at Hove on Friday. Suryavanshi, who sported the iconic number 18 jersey—famously worn by Indian great Virat Kohli—blasted five sixes and three fours during his whirlwind knock. His blitz helped India chase down the 175-run target in just 24 overs, giving them a resounding win and a 1–0 lead in the series.

The young opener gave India U19 a flying start, with the visitors crossing the 70-run mark inside the 8th over. His aggressive intent rattled England’s bowlers early in the chase. However, Suryavanshi was eventually dismissed by Ralphie Albert in the same over after his team had built a strong platform. Despite a few wickets falling in the middle overs, India faced no real pressure as Abhigyan Kundu guided the team home with an unbeaten 45.

Earlier in the day, England captain Thomas Rew won the toss and elected to bat at the County Ground in Brighton. England was bowled out for 174 in 42.2 overs. Rocky Flintoff, son of former England legend Andrew Flintoff, top-scored for the hosts with a composed 56 off 90 balls. Isaac Mohammed added momentum with a quickfire 42 from 28 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered against disciplined Indian bowling.

Chouhan Leads the Bowling Charge as India U19 Dominate

Kanishk Chouhan emerged as the pick of the bowlers for India U19, finishing with impressive figures of 3/20. He was well supported by Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, and RS Ambrish, all of whom claimed two wickets apiece to break the back of England’s batting. Their collective efforts restricted the hosts to a sub-par total and ensured India carried the momentum into the second innings.

VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI MADNESS..!! 🥶🔥

- Smashed 48 runs in just 19 balls.
- With 3 fours and 5 sixes. pic.twitter.com/HOKgnYGd4m

— Sports Culture (@SportsCulture24) June 27, 2025

See Also: ENG U19 vs IND U19, 1st Youth ODI: Major highlights and key performances

With the victory, India U19 now leads the three-match series 1–0. The second and third Youth ODIs are scheduled to be held on June 30 and July 2 in Northampton. Following the white-ball fixtures, the two teams will contest two multi-day matches—the first from July 12 to 15 in Beckenham and the second from July 20 to 23 in Chelmsford.

RCB has finally won the IPL 2025 trophy, ending a long wait of 18 years. After so many years of hard work, struggle, and dedication, King Kohli has completed his trophy cabinet. This win was very special, not only for the team and fans but also for many young players who take inspiration from Virat Kohli.

One of them is young fast bowler Vaibhav Arora. He shared his feelings about meeting and bowling to Virat Kohli during a podcast on The Slip Talks. Vaibhav said, "Virat Kohli bhaiya is a legend. He’s an inspiration. When I met Virat Kohli bhaiya, I felt very happy. It was a different feeling. The player I used to watch on TV, who has ruled the world, and now I was bowling to him — I felt truly lucky."

Also Read -WATCH: Team India reaches Nottingham for 1st T20I vs England

Vaibhav also spoke about a special moment that made him feel proud. He said, "When Virat bhaiya said 'well bowled' to me, I felt like I had done something good." He said those words gave him a lot of confidence and made the moment even more special.

Vaibhav Arora said - "Virat Kohli bhaiya is a Legend, He's an Inspiration. When I met Virat Kohli bhaiya, I felt extremely happy and it was a completely different feeling. The player I used to watch on TV, who has dominated the entire world, and today I was bowling to him, I felt… pic.twitter.com/w1iLuSfobm

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 27, 2025

Vaibhav also said that he was supporting RCB in the IPL 2025 final. He said, "Virat Kohli bhaiya deserves to win the IPL trophy. I was supporting him in the final. No one deserves it more than him."

Vaibhav Arora said - "Virat Kohli bhaiya deserves to win the IPL Trophy. And I was supporting him in the Final. No one deserves to win the IPL trophy more than him". (The slip talks). pic.twitter.com/CvCqlpxbvL

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 27, 2025

This win and the words of young players like Vaibhav Arora show how big an impact Virat Kohli has made in cricket. His journey and hard work will keep inspiring many young cricketers in the future.

Virat Kohli has always been a superstar on the cricket field, but now he's dominating social media like only a true icon can. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, Kohli earns a mind-blowing ₹12 crore for every post he makes on Instagram. Yes, per post. That puts him among the highest-paid athletes on the planet when it comes to social influence  and he’s not even trying hard.

With over 270 million followers, Kohli’s Instagram is more than just a platform it’s a phenomenon. Every time he shares something  be it a fitness routine, a brand shoot, or a quiet family moment it explodes with likes, shares, and comments. His reach isn’t just big, it’s global. And when brands want attention, they know one post from King Kohli can do the job like nothing else.

This kind of earning isn't just about numbers  it’s about trust. Kohli has built a brand people admire, follow, and believe in. His personality off the field is just as strong as his game on it. And that’s exactly why brands are willing to shell out crores to be part of his space.

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King Kohli: More Than Just a Cricketer, A Global Icon in Sport and Influence

Virat has become more than a sportsman he’s a complete brand. From luxury watches to sportswear to grooming products, he's the go-to face for anything aspirational. And the thing is, it never feels forced. Whether he's promoting a product or just being himself, he connects with people in a way that's genuine.

And maybe that’s what sets him apart. In a world full of influencers, Kohli isn’t just selling  he’s leading. He’s grown with his audience, kept it real, and never stopped delivering  on and off the field. The ₹12 crore price tag? It’s just another reminder that King Kohli is in a league of his own.

Whenever a match is played between the Indian cricket team and the Australian team, the excitement is always at its peak. A tough fight is seen between the two teams. At the same time, tickets for these matches start selling well in advance. Recently, tickets for the ODI and T20I series between India and Australia, to be played in October and November, have started selling. A total of 90,000 tickets have been sold within just two weeks. This shows how much craze there is among fans for India vs Australia matches.

Cricket Australia has shared that more than 90,000 tickets have been sold within just two weeks of starting the ticket sales for the upcoming India vs Australia (IND vs AUS) matches. These tickets are for a total of eight matches. This clearly shows how excited the fans are for this series. More than 16% of the tickets have been bought by Indian fan groups.

The Bharat Army alone has purchased over 2,400 tickets, while another fan group, Fans India, has booked more than 1,400 tickets.

Also Read -Jofra Archer officially returns ahead of ENG vs IND 2nd Test match

Meanwhile, Amit Goyal, a member of the Brissi Baniyas Fan Club, has made headlines by buying 880 tickets for the T20I match to be played at the Gabba. He has become the person to buy the most tickets for a single match. This shows how passionate he is about these games.

On this occasion, Joel Morrison, Executive General Manager of Events and Operations at Cricket Australia, shared his happiness about the ticket sales. He said, "This number shows how big this series is going to be. Matches between India and Australia always create a special kind of excitement around the world. Such record-breaking sales, even four months before the matches, assure us of huge crowds and an electric atmosphere in the stadiums."

AUS vs IND ODI Series Schedule

1. 19 October – Perth Stadium (Day-Night)
2. 23 October – Adelaide Oval (Day-Night)
3. 25 October – Sydney Cricket Ground (Day-Night)

AUS vs IND T20I Series Schedule

• 29 October – Manuka Oval, Canberra
• 31 October – Melbourne Cricket Ground
• 2 November – Bellerive Oval, Hobart
• 6 November – Gold Coast Stadium
• 8 November – The Gabba, Brisbane

Women's ODI series

1. Tuesday, February 24: Allan Border Field, Brisbane
2. Friday, February 27: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
3. Sunday, March 1: CitiPower Centre, Melbourne

Women's Test v India

March 6-9: WACA Ground, Perth.

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has spoken about Virat Kohli’s unexpected decision to retire from Test cricket. He confirmed that the decision was completely Kohli’s and that the BCCI had tried to convince him to stay, but Kohli had made up his mind.

Kohli, 36, told the board about his decision four days before officially announcing it on May 12. Ganguly, who shared a good working relationship with Kohli, said the former captain took the call on his own, without any pressure. "As a player, you just know when it’s time," Ganguly said. "People are asking why now. I know the last few years in Tests weren’t great for him, but top players like Kohli always bounce back. I’m sure if he was on the England tour, he would’ve scored runs. But he felt it was time to step away."

Kohli’s retirement surprised many, including Ganguly himself. After already leaving T20Is, most people expected Kohli to play Tests for a few more years. "Everything ends someday," Ganguly added. "Yes, he’s just 36, still fit, still playing IPL and ODIs. But Test cricket is different. At some point, you feel it’s time. I felt the same and retired when I thought it was right."

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

Ganguly also looked back at his own retirement. He left Test cricket at 37 after being out of the ODI team for over a year. Even though he was still scoring runs in 2006–07, the team was planning for the future, and he stepped aside to make way for younger players.

ALSO READ: SA20: Six retentions per team for next season
Kohli’s retirement was first reported by The Indian Express, which also said the BCCI tried to convince him to continue. Like Ganguly, who ended his Test career with a golden duck against Australia in Nagpur, Kohli too walked away on his own terms.