4,204 Wickets, 185,742 Balls: Legendary Bowler Who Stunned Cricket World

Virat Kohli Return Date Revealed? Report Offers Encouraging Injury Update

Suyash Sahay — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 14:43:22 +0530

Virat Kohli Injury Update: Virat Kohli will reportedly miss the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. The star batsman appears to have sustained a hamstring injury during RCB's IPL 2026 final triumph over Gujarat Titans, but a new report has offered fans a reason to be optimistic about his recovery timeline. Kohli ended another outstanding campaign on a high, scoring an unbeaten 75 in the title clash and finishing the season with 675 runs. With India set to begin their three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on June 13 in Dharamsala, fans were looking forward to seeing him continue that form in national colours.

Positive Update On Virat Kohli's Recovery

According to a report by The Indian Express, Virat Kohli has been advised to undergo at least two weeks of rest as he recovers from the hamstring issue, adding that the veteran could potentially regain fitness in time for the third and final ODI of the series, scheduled for June 20.

Despite that possibility, the same report indicates that selectors are unlikely to include him in the squad.

With only three matches in the series, bringing Kohli back for a single game may not be viewed as a practical option. India have a busy schedule ahead, including an ODI series against England in July. As a result, team management might prefer to give him additional recovery time rather than rushing him back into action.

It is important to note that the BCCI has not yet issued any official statement regarding Kohli's fitness status, availability, or any replacement plans.

Also Check: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Effect? India A Tri-Series Gets Major Broadcast Push

Rohit Sharma Also Doubtful

Kohli may not be the only senior player whose participation is in question. News agency ANI reported that Rohit Sharma is also doubtful for the Afghanistan series.

While the exact reason behind Rohit's uncertain status has not been disclosed, speculation has centred around fitness management and workload concerns. The opener experienced a brief injury setback during IPL 2026 but returned before the tournament concluded.

For now, fans will have to wait for an official update from the BCCI. While Kohli's reported recovery timeline appears encouraging, his immediate return to international cricket remains uncertain.

England Star Slams IPL Pitches, Calls Endless Run-Fests 'Boring'

Suyash Sahay — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 14:20:32 +0530

Liam Livingstone IPL Pitches: England all-rounder Liam Livingstone has weighed in on one of the biggest talking points from IPL 2026, expressing concerns over the extremely batting-friendly conditions that produced a season packed with record-breaking totals and successful run chases. The latest IPL campaign witnessed an unprecedented number of high-scoring encounters. Teams crossed the 200-run mark on numerous occasions, both while batting first and even chasing. While there were those who enjoyed the fireworks, Livingstone believes the balance between bat and ball may have tilted too heavily in favour of the batsmen.

Livingstone Questions IPL 2026 Pitch Conditions

Speaking on the Stick To Cricket podcast, the Sunrisers Hyderabad star shared his thoughts on the surfaces used throughout the tournament and admitted that the constant flow of boundaries reduced the challenge for players.

Livingstone pointed to one particular game involving Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians as an example of how batting dominated proceedings throughout the season.

"We were playing Mumbai and we chased 230 or 240 in 18 overs. I thought it is actually quite boring. Just watching people go 6, 6, 6."

"There is no real skill involved. The pitches were so flat and the Impact Player just comes in. The boundaries are big enough but the pitches are so flat. At Mumbai, the ball just absolutely flies. In Hyderabad, he played at the same pitch maybe five or six times," he added.

The England international suggested that while stadium dimensions were not necessarily small, the nature of the pitches made life significantly easier for batters. According to him, the surfaces offered little assistance to bowlers, resulting in contests that often felt one-sided.

Also Check: Rohit Sharma Likely To Miss Afghanistan Series After Virat Kohli

Debate Over Bat-Ball Balance Continues

Livingstone's comments echo concerns that were frequently raised by fans and analysts during the season. Social media discussions throughout IPL 2026 often centred around whether the tournament had become too heavily skewed towards batting.

Supporters of high-scoring cricket argue that six-hitting spectacles are a major attraction of the IPL. However, critics believe that the most entertaining contests come when bowlers are also able to influence games and force batters to adapt.

The introduction of the Impact Player rule has further intensified the debate, with many observers arguing that the additional batting depth has contributed to the surge in massive totals.

ICC Delegation Arrives In Bangladesh Ahead Of BCB Elections

PTI — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 14:00:24 +0530

Dhaka: A two-member ICC delegation visited Bangladesh to review the developments within the country's cricket board BCB ahead of its scheduled election on June 7.

The BCB is currently run by an interim committee headed by former opener Tamim Iqbal after the national sports council dissolved the previous regime led by Aminul Islam for alleged large scale irregularities.

"A two-member delegation appointed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), comprising ICC Board Directors Dr Mohammed A.S. Moosajee (Cricket South Africa) and Mr Tavengwa Mukuhlani (Zimbabwe Cricket), recently visited Bangladesh to engage with a range of stakeholders to review developments linked to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

"The ICC wishes to clarify that the delegation will submit its findings and observations to the ICC Board in due course and will not be making any media comment on the matter," said the ICC in a statement.

It was also under Aminul Islam's tenure that BCB had decided to pull out of the T20 World Cup in India in retaliation to BCCI's instruction to KKR for removing senior pacer Mustafizur Raham from their IPL 2026 roster.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Effect? India A Tri-Series Gets Major Broadcast Push Amid Teen Sensation's Rise

Suyash Sahay — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 13:45:29 +0530

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India A: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the most talked-about names in Indian cricket over the last few months. At just 15 years of age, the batting prodigy has transformed from a promising youngster into a household name, thanks to a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign that captured the imagination of fans across the country. With the India A tri-series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A set to begin on June 9, excitement around the tournament is unusually high.

While Tilak Varma will captain the side, much of the spotlight is expected to remain firmly on Sooryavanshi, whose rise has made him one of the most anticipated attractions of the competition.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Set For India A Action

After a sensational IPL 2026 season in which he amassed 776 runs and claimed five individual awards, including the prestigious Orange Cap, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been picked for India A for an upcoming tri-series.

One of the notable aspects of this series is the level of attention it has received. The matches will be televised on the Sony Sports Network and live streamed on Sony LIV, a level of visibility that India A fixtures have not always enjoyed in the past.

As a result, fans are eagerly awaiting Sooryavanshi's next appearance in Indian colours. The India A tri-series offers another opportunity for the youngster to showcase his talent and continue his rapid development against quality opposition.

The tournament will feature India A against their Sri Lanka and Afghanistan counterparts, providing valuable exposure to several emerging stars who are knocking on the door of senior international cricket.

Also Check: Virat Kohli Ruled Out? 3 Players Who Could Replace Him For IND vs AFG ODI Series

Growing Interest In India A Cricket

While no official reason has been cited, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's growing popularity may have contributed to the increased interest surrounding the tournament.

His record-breaking IPL exploits have drawn significant attention from fans, and broadcasters are likely aware of the demand to watch the teenager's next chapter unfold.

India A's squad also features several exciting young players, including Priyansh Arya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prabhsimran Singh and Ayush Badoni, making the competition an intriguing watch beyond just Sooryavanshi's presence.

IND-AFG ODIs: Rohit Sharma Likely To Miss Afghanistan Series After Virat Kohli

Shivam Sharma — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 13:36:55 +0530

India's seasoned all-format captain Rohit Sharma has emerged as a major doubt for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) home series against Afghanistan, according to reliable sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ANI reported.

IND vs AFG ODI series starts from June 13th onwards. The veteran opening batter is reportedly on the verge of being sidelined for the dynamic bilateral white-ball assignment, giving the national selectors a fresh headache as they look to finalize the squad configuration.

Also Read | 4,204 Wickets, 185,742 Balls: Legendary Bowler Who Stunned Cricket World

The specific nature of Rohit's potential absence - whether rooted in workload management, personal reasons, or a fitness setback - has not been officially detailed by the board's medical team, highly placed insiders have indicated that the "Hitman" is highly unlikely to feature in the playing eleven.

Opportunities for Rising Talent

Rohit Sharma's potential omission leaves a significant leadership and tactical void at the top of the Indian batting order. However, it simultaneously opens up a massive window of opportunity for India's reserve openers and younger leadership candidates to step up and pilot the squad against a highly competitive and spin-heavy Afghan bowling lineup.

An official medical update and the formal squad announcement from the senior national selection committee are expected to follow shortly to clear the air regarding the captain's availability.

Virat Kohli also ruled out

According to reports, Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. The star batter reportedly experienced discomfort while running during the latter stages of the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

Despite the injury concern, Kohli played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 75 runs off 42 balls, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a challenging target of 156 and helping them secure the title.

India and Afghanistan are set to face each other in a one-off Test in New Chandigarh before the action shifts to the ODI format. The three-match ODI series is scheduled to begin on June 13.

Lalit Modi Makes Big Match-Fixing Remark, Shares Honest View On IPL Fixing Claims

Suyash Sahay — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 13:07:10 +0530

Lalit Modi Cricket Match-Fixing Remark: IPL founder and former Chairman Lalit Modi has reignited debate around corruption in cricket after speaking about the issue of match-fixing during a recent podcast appearance. He claimed that corruption has not disappeared from cricket, although he stopped short of making any allegations against the Indian Premier League. Speaking on Wisden Cricket's podcast, 'The Scoop,' Modi was asked directly whether match-fixing remains a concern in the IPL.

His response highlighted how the nature of corruption in sport has allegedly changed over the years, becoming far more "sophisticated" than it was in the past.

Lalit Modi On Match-Fixing In Modern Cricket

According to Lalit Modi, the issue of corruption continues to exist across various sports, even if it may not always be visible to the public. He indicated that methods used to manipulate sporting outcomes have become more advanced with time.

"They're fixing in cricket. It has gone to a very sophisticated level."

However, the former IPL boss made it clear that he was not accusing the league of any wrongdoing and had no evidence to suggest that match-fixing was taking place within the tournament.

"Whether it's in the IPL, I don't know. I don't think so, but I don't know. And I can't tell you because I genuinely don't know. But I'm sure it exists everywhere, every sport has its issues."

Modi also emphasised that his comments should be interpreted carefully. He reiterated that he was speaking only from his understanding of the broader sporting landscape and not making any direct claims regarding the IPL.

Also Check: Lalit Modi Drops Bombshell, Claims Shashi Tharoor Threatened Him With Government Raids

IPL's Financial Strength Seen As A Deterrent

The former administrator further suggested that the IPL's structure and financial rewards provide strong incentives for players to protect their careers. With the league offering significant opportunities and exposure, the risks associated with becoming involved in corruption may outweigh any potential gains.

"I don't think it would be happening in the IPL because the money has become so big. It is so big that there is no reason for players to fix because they have too much to lose,"

While Modi's latest remarks are unlikely to end discussions surrounding corruption in sport, they have once again placed the spotlight on one of cricket's most sensitive and enduring issues.

Virat Kohli Ruled Out? 3 Players Who Could Replace Him For IND vs AFG ODI Series

Suyash Sahay — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 12:47:29 +0530

Virat Kohli India ODI Replacement: India look to have been dealt a major setback ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, with Virat Kohli reportedly ruled out due to a hamstring injury. According to PTI, a BCCI source stated, "He is out of the ODI series due to a hamstring injury." The first of the three matches is set to be played on June 13 in Dharamshala. With one of themost experienced batsmen unavailable, the top order would need some reinforcement. While nothing has been confirmed officially so far, here are three players who could potentially step in for Kohli during the IND vs AFG ODI series.

IND vs AFG ODIs: Kohli's Potential Replacement

1) Priyansh Arya

Priyansh Arya was one of IPL 2026's most explosive openers. Representing Punjab Kings, he smashed 364 runs in 13 matches and could slot right in at the top of the order, forming a left-right batting combination with Rohit Sharma.

Shubman Gill, the captain, is generally seen opening the innings in ODI and T20 cricket, but he could, in that case, drop down to number three like he does in Test cricket to accommodate for the change.

Also Check: PBKS Star To Become India T20 Captain? Report Reveals Major BCCI Decision

2) Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal had a pretty decent outing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring 464 runs in 16 matches for the franchise in a title-winning run.

He has regularly occupied the No. 3 position for RCB, the same role Virat Kohli typically plays for India in ODIs, and will also be part of the senior squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan scheduled just before the ODI series.

3) Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has been in great touch of late, first helping India lift the ICC T20 World Cup, and then performing consistently for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.

While these were played in a different format, the CSK wicketkeeper-batsman has represented India in ODIs before. Just like Priyansh Arya, he can open the innings for India, with Gill going down a spot in the batting order.

4,204 Wickets, 185,742 Balls: Legendary Bowler Who Stunned Cricket World

Shivam Sharma — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 12:30:37 +0530

When the conversation turns to cricket, batting feats and run-scoring records often dominate the spotlight. However, bowling remains the backbone of the sport, and first-class cricket has witnessed some extraordinary bowlers whose records still stand unmatched even after decades.

Wilfred Rhodes holds the distinction of being the most successful bowler in first-class cricket history.

Playing between 1898 and 1930, he claimed an astonishing 4,204 wickets in 1,110 matches. He bowled 185,742 deliveries and maintained an impressive average of 16.72. Despite the passage of nearly nine decades, no bowler has come close to breaking this monumental record.

Also Read | IND vs AFG ODIs: Shocker For Indian Fans! Virat Kohli Ruled Out Of Series

A.P. Freeman occupies second place on the list, having taken 3,776 wickets in 592 matches. Known for his remarkable consistency, Freeman also achieved the rare feat of taking 10 wickets in a single innings, highlighting his match-winning ability.

In third place is C.W.L. Parker, who finished his career with 3,278 wickets in 635 matches. His spin bowling often proved decisive, and he was known for turning matches in his team’s favor with crucial breakthroughs.

J.T. Hearne ranks fourth with 3,061 wickets from 639 matches. With a bowling average of 17.75, he was not only a prolific wicket-taker but also highly economical, making him a dependable force for his side.

Completing the top five is T.W.J. Goddard, who took 2,979 wickets in 593 matches. A consistent performer of his era, Goddard built a reputation as one of the most reliable bowlers in first-class cricket.

These legends represent an era when endurance, discipline, and skill defined success in cricket. Bowling long spells across countless matches, they created records that continue to inspire awe.

Even as modern cricket has evolved into a faster, more aggressive format, the legacy of these bowlers remains intact. In particular, Wilfred Rhodes’ record of 4,204 wickets still stands as an unbroken milestone - one that has endured for nearly a century and continues to define greatness in the art of bowling.