From Joe Root to Jacques Kallis, here's a look at the top five batters fastest to 13,000 runs in Tests. This list also includes Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid

Meet top 5 batters fastest to 13,000 Test runs

Former Australian quick Brett Lee thinks of Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batter of all time, but he picked South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer. Lee made his international debut in 1999, at a time when Sachin was at the peak of his prowess, and Kallis had already emerged as a top all-rounder. The fast bowler, who won the 2003 ODI World Cup, also picked Rohit Sharma and Ricky Ponting as the best players of pull shots in cricket.&nbsp;"I've always said that I think that the best batsman to ever play the game is Sachin Tendulkar. But the best cricketer is Jacques Kallis. He's got the best numbers in the world. If you look at his stats, the stats don't lie. He's incredible,” Lee said while answering rapid-fire questions on the BeerBiceps podcast. &nbsp;"But to be alongside as a teammate and to watch him prepare for a game, his heart rate was about 30 beats a minute before going out to bat, as he was chilled out. So relaxed," Lee said of Kallis.&nbsp; &nbsp;"The way I'd watch him get changed, he'd put his gear on, his batting gear, and he'd put his left sock on first; his other sock would go in his mouth. Same thing every single day," Lee recalled of Kallis’ routine.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brett-lee-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-age-debate-15-years-old-1786251891060">‘If he’s 15, fantastic, but if he’s 17 or 18, who cares?’: Brett Lee on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi age debate</a> &nbsp;Sachin and Kallis, however, are true legends of the game. Keeping aside the longevity of these two stalwarts, what they achieved purely as cricketers is remarkable. While Sachin Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in international cricket, scoring over 34,000 runs across three formats, and has 100 international hundreds to that, Kallis is the modern-day game’s greatest all-rounder.&nbsp; &nbsp;The South African has scored over 25,000 international runs and picked 577 wickets across three formats, placing him in the all-time great category. It was during 2013 and 2014 that Sachin and Kallis announced their international retirements, respectively.<h3>Cricket's Best Pullers: Rohit and Ponting</h3>Having played under and alongside Ricky Ponting for years, Lee knew how good his skipper was. Not only was Ponting a great captain, having won two World Cups as an Australian skipper, adding two Champions Trophy titles, but he was also perhaps the best player of pull shots. However, Rohit Sharma, the veteran batter, is another name Lee thinks of as a great puller of a cricket ball. &nbsp;"Rohit Sharma is one of my favourite players to watch, especially the pull shot," Lee said while naming him and Ponting in the same breath. "Ricky Ponting &amp; Rohit Sharma have got the best pull shots in world cricket."

Brett Lee names Sachin Tendulkar the greatest batter and Jacques Kallis the ultimate GOAT, while hailing Rohit Sharma and Ricky Ponting for their pull shots.

Former Australian quick Brett Lee thinks of Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batter of all time, but he picked South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer. Lee made his international debut in 1999, at a time when Sachin was at the peak of his prowess, and Kallis had already emerged as a top all-rounder. The fast bowler, who won the 2003 ODI World Cup, also picked Rohit Sharma and Ricky Ponting as the best players of pull shots in cricket. "I've always said that I think that the best batsman to ever play the game is Sachin Tendulkar. But the best cricketer is Jacques Kallis. He's got the best numbers in the world. If you look at his stats, the stats don't lie. He's incredible,” Lee said while answering rapid-fire questions on the BeerBiceps podcast. "But to be alongside as a teammate and to watch him prepare for a game, his heart rate was about 30 beats a minute before going out to bat, as he was chilled out. So relaxed," Lee said of Kallis. "The way I'd watch him get changed, he'd put his gear on, his batting gear, and he'd put his left sock on first; his other sock would go in his mouth. Same thing every single day," Lee recalled of Kallis’ routine. Also read| ‘If he’s 15, fantastic, but if he’s 17 or 18, who cares?’: Brett Lee on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi age debate Sachin and Kallis, however, are true legends of the game. Keeping aside the longevity of these two stalwarts, what they achieved purely as cricketers is remarkable. While Sachin Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in international cricket, scoring over 34,000 runs across three formats, and has 100 international hundreds to that, Kallis is the modern-day game’s greatest all-rounder. The South African has scored over 25,000 international runs and picked 577 wickets across three formats, placing him in the all-time great category. It was during 2013 and 2014 that Sachin and Kallis announced their international retirements, respectively. Cricket's Best Pullers: Rohit and Ponting Having played under and alongside Ricky Ponting for years, Lee knew how good his skipper was. Not only was Ponting a great captain, having won two World Cups as an Australian skipper, adding two Champions Trophy titles, but he was also perhaps the best player of pull shots. However, Rohit Sharma, the veteran batter, is another name Lee thinks of as a great puller of a cricket ball. "Rohit Sharma is one of my favourite players to watch, especially the pull shot," Lee said while naming him and Ponting in the same breath. "Ricky Ponting & Rohit Sharma have got the best pull shots in world cricket."

Brett Lee names Sachin Tendulkar the greatest batter and Jacques Kallis the ultimate GOAT, while hailing Rohit Sharma and Ricky Ponting for their pull shots.

‘Sachin is Greatest Batter, But GOAT Is...’: Brett Lee rates Rohit, Ponting's pull shots as best

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the top five right-hand batters with most international runs. This list also includes Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis

Meet top 5 right-hand batters with most international runs

From Joe Root to Rahul Dravid here is a list of five fielders with most catches in Test cricket. The list also features legendary names like Steve Smith, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis. 

From Joe Root to Rahul Dravid, 5 fielders with most catches in Test cricket

The Legends Pro T20 League has added another group of heavyweight names to its debut season, confirming the participation of Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny. With each announcement, the league is shaping into a reunion of cricketers who have shared dressing rooms, rivalries, and countless memories over the years. “Some of my best cricket memories involve the guys who will be playing for the league,” Gayle said. “I’ve played against Kallis when getting past him felt impossible, talked batting rhythm with Uthappa, and taken more Rayudu banter than I can count,” he laughed.&nbsp;“And seeing names like Dhawan or Watson pop up again adds to that feeling. Coming back together brings back the jokes, the competitiveness, the respect. The Legends Pro T20 League is giving us that chance.” Jacques Kallis echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the relationships that endure long after a career. “When you’ve been away from the game for a while, you realise how much you miss the feel of the bat in your hands,” Kallis said. “I’m genuinely excited to pick it up again that simple rhythm of hitting balls, finding timing, feeling like a player once more.&nbsp;And seeing Michael Clarke step in as league commissioner adds a fresh energy. He’s always had a sharp cricketing mind, and his new role brings real professionalism and vision to the whole setup. It just makes you look forward even more to getting back out there and enjoying the game with familiar faces.” Robin Uthappa spoke about reconnecting with players who shaped his journey. “I’ve faced Rayudu as an opponent and later shared a dressing room with him, and his intensity has always stood out,” Uthappa said. “With Dinesh Karthik, I’ve had plenty of chats about finishing games, and having played with him since my Under-19 days, there’s a natural camaraderie that comes from all those years together.&nbsp;Shaun Marsh was one of those guys who made batting look effortless. Getting to experience this again without the pressure of franchise standings is something I’m genuinely looking forward to. It feels like picking up old cricketing friendships right where we left them.” Ambati Rayudu reflected on the camaraderie that lasts beyond formats and seasons. “When you look around and see players you’ve fought against and won titles with, it reminds you why you love the sport".&nbsp;“I’ve had tight games with Binny, long nets with Uthappa, unforgettable battles with Gayle, and some of my most moments are playing alongside Shane Watson. And when someone like Amit Mishra or Vinay Kumar walks in, it immediately feels like old times. Reliving even a slice of that was too good to pass up.” Stuart Binny summed up the collective feeling among the players. “What excites me isn’t just the cricket it’s the group,” Binny said. “We’ve played across the world and shared moments that go well beyond scorecards. Kallis giving tips on balance at the crease, Gayle telling stories that had everyone laughing, Monty Panesar sparking debates out of nowhere that’s the world we come from. Getting the chance to be in that environment again feels special.”

The Legends Pro T20 League has announced another big set of players for its first season, including Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, and Stuart Binny.

The Legends Pro T20 League has added another group of heavyweight names to its debut season, confirming the participation of Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny. With each announcement, the league is shaping into a reunion of cricketers who have shared dressing rooms, rivalries, and countless memories over the years. “Some of my best cricket memories involve the guys who will be playing for the league,” Gayle said. “I’ve played against Kallis when getting past him felt impossible, talked batting rhythm with Uthappa, and taken more Rayudu banter than I can count,” he laughed. “And seeing names like Dhawan or Watson pop up again adds to that feeling. Coming back together brings back the jokes, the competitiveness, the respect. The Legends Pro T20 League is giving us that chance.” Jacques Kallis echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the relationships that endure long after a career. “When you’ve been away from the game for a while, you realise how much you miss the feel of the bat in your hands,” Kallis said. “I’m genuinely excited to pick it up again that simple rhythm of hitting balls, finding timing, feeling like a player once more. And seeing Michael Clarke step in as league commissioner adds a fresh energy. He’s always had a sharp cricketing mind, and his new role brings real professionalism and vision to the whole setup. It just makes you look forward even more to getting back out there and enjoying the game with familiar faces.” Robin Uthappa spoke about reconnecting with players who shaped his journey. “I’ve faced Rayudu as an opponent and later shared a dressing room with him, and his intensity has always stood out,” Uthappa said. “With Dinesh Karthik, I’ve had plenty of chats about finishing games, and having played with him since my Under-19 days, there’s a natural camaraderie that comes from all those years together. Shaun Marsh was one of those guys who made batting look effortless. Getting to experience this again without the pressure of franchise standings is something I’m genuinely looking forward to. It feels like picking up old cricketing friendships right where we left them.” Ambati Rayudu reflected on the camaraderie that lasts beyond formats and seasons. “When you look around and see players you’ve fought against and won titles with, it reminds you why you love the sport". “I’ve had tight games with Binny, long nets with Uthappa, unforgettable battles with Gayle, and some of my most moments are playing alongside Shane Watson. And when someone like Amit Mishra or Vinay Kumar walks in, it immediately feels like old times. Reliving even a slice of that was too good to pass up.” Stuart Binny summed up the collective feeling among the players. “What excites me isn’t just the cricket it’s the group,” Binny said. “We’ve played across the world and shared moments that go well beyond scorecards. Kallis giving tips on balance at the crease, Gayle telling stories that had everyone laughing, Monty Panesar sparking debates out of nowhere that’s the world we come from. Getting the chance to be in that environment again feels special.”

The Legends Pro T20 League has announced another big set of players for its first season, including Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, and Stuart Binny.

Robin Uthappa, Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis to play in Legends Pro T20 League

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar here is a look at five batters with most hundreds in a single format. The list also features the likes of Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Joe Root we glance on the names after Virat scored his 52nd ODI hundred on Sunday against South Africa. 

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, 5 batters with most hundreds in a single format

From Waqar Younis to Makhaya Ntini, here's a look at the top five bowlers with most wickets for South Africa vs Pakistan in ODIs. This list also includes Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi

Meet top 5 bowlers with most wickets for South Africa vs Pakistan in ODIs

From Virat Kohli to AB de Villiers, here's a look at the top five batters with most runs for India vs South Africa in ODIs. This list also includes Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Gary Kirsten

From Virat Kohli to Gary Kirsten, 5 batters with most runs for India vs South Africa in ODIs

From Virat Kohli to AB de Villiers, here's a look at the top five batters with most runs for India vs South Africa in Tests. This list also includes Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla

From Virat Kohli to AB de Villiers, 5 batters with most runs for India vs South Africa in Tests

From Jacques Kallis to AB de Villiers, here is a list of five batters with most Runs in England vs South Africa ODIs. The list also has notable mentions of Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and Graeme Smith. 

From Jacques Kallis to AB de Villiers, 5 batters with most Runs in England vs South Africa ODIs

From Sachin Tendulkar to Sanath Jayasuriya, here is a look at five  players with 10,000 Runs and 100 Wickets in ODIs. The list also features great players like Jacques Kallis, Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle. 

From Sachin Tendulkar to Sanath Jayasuriya, 5 players with 10,000 Runs and 100 Wickets in ODIs

Fielding is always a very important part of any cricket match. A good fielder in the team can help to change the results of a match. Taking catches is one of the most important things a fielder can do. While some amazing catches like diving catches often gets the more attention, fielders with quick reactions, good timing, and steady hands are very valuable for any team and there are several players in the cricket history who have made some records and historic moments with their fielding. Lets have a look at the top five players with most catches in international cricket (excluding wicket-keepers).<h2>Top fielders with most catches in international cricket (excluding wicket-keepers)</h2><h3>Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)</h3>Former Sri Lankan batter, Mahela Jayawardene, holds the record for the most catches by a &nbsp;fielder (non-wicketkeeper) in international cricket. He took a total of 440 catches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. In ODIs alone, he tops the list with 218 catches.<h3>Ricky Ponting (Australia)</h3>Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, comes second on this list with 364 catches in 560 matches (ODI+T20+Test). He was famous for his fast reflexes and great hand-eye coordination, especially in the slip and point position.<h3>Ross Taylor (New Zealand)</h3>Kiwi veteran Ross Taylor also features on this elite list. He grabbed 351 catches in 450 games. He also has the highest catches-per-innings ratio among the top fielders at 0.642 catches per innings.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="Which left-handed batsmen has most runs in Asia Cup (ODI)? Check full list">Which left-handed batsmen has most runs in Asia Cup (ODI)? Check full list</a><h3>Jacques Kallis (South Africa)</h3>Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis was one of the top all-rounders in cricket during his era. He took 338 catches in 519 matches, showing his value not just with bat and ball but also in the field.<h3>Virat Kohli (India)</h3>Former Indian captain Virat Kohli features next on this elite list with 336 catches in 550 international matches. He was especially reliable in the slip position and took many crucial catches.

From Virat Kohli to Ricky Ponting, here's a look at the top five fielders with most catches in international cricket. This list also includes legendary cricketers like - Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor and Jacques Kallis.

Fielding is always a very important part of any cricket match. A good fielder in the team can help to change the results of a match. Taking catches is one of the most important things a fielder can do. While some amazing catches like diving catches often gets the more attention, fielders with quick reactions, good timing, and steady hands are very valuable for any team and there are several players in the cricket history who have made some records and historic moments with their fielding. Lets have a look at the top five players with most catches in international cricket (excluding wicket-keepers). Top fielders with most catches in international cricket (excluding wicket-keepers) Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) Former Sri Lankan batter, Mahela Jayawardene, holds the record for the most catches by a fielder (non-wicketkeeper) in international cricket. He took a total of 440 catches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. In ODIs alone, he tops the list with 218 catches. Ricky Ponting (Australia) Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, comes second on this list with 364 catches in 560 matches (ODI+T20+Test). He was famous for his fast reflexes and great hand-eye coordination, especially in the slip and point position. Ross Taylor (New Zealand) Kiwi veteran Ross Taylor also features on this elite list. He grabbed 351 catches in 450 games. He also has the highest catches-per-innings ratio among the top fielders at 0.642 catches per innings. Also Read - Which left-handed batsmen has most runs in Asia Cup (ODI)? Check full list Jacques Kallis (South Africa) Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis was one of the top all-rounders in cricket during his era. He took 338 catches in 519 matches, showing his value not just with bat and ball but also in the field. Virat Kohli (India) Former Indian captain Virat Kohli features next on this elite list with 336 catches in 550 international matches. He was especially reliable in the slip position and took many crucial catches.

From Virat Kohli to Ricky Ponting, here's a look at the top five fielders (excluding wicket-keepers) with most catches in international cricket. This list also includes legendary cricketers like - Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor and Jacques Kallis.

Fielders with most catches in international cricket, check who leads list

When Ravindra Jadeja almost took India home in Lord's Test against England, everybody recognized the already well-known fact that he's one of the best all-rounders in the world cricket. Jadeja is currently ranked number 1 all-rounder in the Tests and is surely one of the best among active cricketers including England Test skipper Ben Stokes. There is, however, one all-rounder who sits atop on the all-time list of runs and wickets in not only Tests but ODIs as well. The South African all-rounder, for context, has more than 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs as well as 250+ wickets in both formats.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-ind-at-old-trafford-rahul-jaiswal-register-highest-opening-partnership-since-independence-1753278198480">ENG vs IND: Rahul-Jaiswal register highest opening partnership since since 1947</a>&nbsp;Jacques Kallis from South Africa was one a kind - His record as an all-rounder is unmatchable through generations. For context, Kallis has 45 Test hundreds - second most overall and 17 in ODIs and he has 292 wickets in Tests and 273 wickets in ODIs. Is Jacques Kallis the greatest all-rounder of all time in international cricket? Let's have a look at the numbers:Kallis is the only player to score 10,000-plus runs in both Tests and ODIs as well as take 250+ wickets too. No other player in the history of the game has been able to achieve the same number in bowling and batting simultaneously as Kallis did. The SA legend has 13,289 runs in Test cricket with 45 hundreds and 292 wickets as well. In ODI cricket, Kallis has scored 11,579 runs with 17 hundreds and 272 wickets.Kallis's runs, in both Tests and ODIs, are the most by a batter for South Africa. As for wickets, his 291 dismissals in Test are seventh most for South Africa and his 269 wickets are third most in ODIs. Kallis, for the sheer amount of runs and wickets, is definitely one of the greatest, if not greatest, all-rounders to have ever played game of cricket.

Jacques Kallis from South Africa was one a kind - His record as an all-rounder is unmatchable through generations. For context, Kallis has 45 Test hundreds - second most overall and 17 in ODIs and he has 292 wickets in Tests and 273 wickets in ODIs.

When Ravindra Jadeja almost took India home in Lord's Test against England, everybody recognized the already well-known fact that he's one of the best all-rounders in the world cricket. Jadeja is currently ranked number 1 all-rounder in the Tests and is surely one of the best among active cricketers including England Test skipper Ben Stokes. There is, however, one all-rounder who sits atop on the all-time list of runs and wickets in not only Tests but ODIs as well. The South African all-rounder, for context, has more than 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs as well as 250+ wickets in both formats. Also Read: ENG vs IND: Rahul-Jaiswal register highest opening partnership since since 1947 Jacques Kallis from South Africa was one a kind - His record as an all-rounder is unmatchable through generations. For context, Kallis has 45 Test hundreds - second most overall and 17 in ODIs and he has 292 wickets in Tests and 273 wickets in ODIs. Is Jacques Kallis the greatest all-rounder of all time in international cricket? Let's have a look at the numbers: Kallis is the only player to score 10,000-plus runs in both Tests and ODIs as well as take 250+ wickets too. No other player in the history of the game has been able to achieve the same number in bowling and batting simultaneously as Kallis did. The SA legend has 13,289 runs in Test cricket with 45 hundreds and 292 wickets as well. In ODI cricket, Kallis has scored 11,579 runs with 17 hundreds and 272 wickets. Kallis's runs, in both Tests and ODIs, are the most by a batter for South Africa. As for wickets, his 291 dismissals in Test are seventh most for South Africa and his 269 wickets are third most in ODIs. Kallis, for the sheer amount of runs and wickets, is definitely one of the greatest, if not greatest, all-rounders to have ever played game of cricket.

Jacques Kallis from South Africa was one a kind - His record as an all-rounder is unmatchable through generations. For context, Kallis has 45 Test hundreds - second most overall and 17 in ODIs and he has 292 wickets in Tests and 273 wickets in ODIs.

Greatest all-rounder ever? SA great only player with 10,000-plus runs and 250+ wickets in both Test and ODIs

From Jacques Kallis to Kapil Dev, here is a glance at five all-rounders with 5000 runs and 100+ wickets in Tests. The list also features the likes of Gary Sobers, Ben Stokes and Carl Hooper. 

From Jacques Kallis to Kapil Dev, 5 all-rounders with 5000 runs and 100+ wickets in Tests

In the long history of Test cricket, scoring a century is one of the biggest achievements for a batter. While many players have reached this mark but there are only few who have done it regularly over many years and across different formats. Here’s a look at the top seven players with the most Test centuries. Most of these legends come from cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia and South Africa.

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 51 centuries Sachin Tendulkar, known as the ‘Master Blaster’ holds the record for the most Test centuries (51) in Test cricket history. He played 200 Test matches from 1989 to 2013 and scored 15921 runs with an average of 53.78. His highest score was 248 not out.

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 45 centuries Jacques Kallis often called one of the best all-rounders in cricket has 45 Test hundreds under his belt. In 166 Test matches, he has scored 13,289 runs at an impressive average of 55.37. His top score was 224.

Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 41 centuries Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has scored 41 Test centuries in 168 matches between 1995 and 2012 and scored a total of 13378 runs with a highest score of 257. Ponting was a key player during Australia's most dominant years.

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 38 centuries Kumar Sangakkara, the great left-hander from Sri Lanka has scored 38 centuries under his belt in just 134 Test matches. He scored 12400 runs with a top score of 319 and at an average of 57.40.&nbsp;

Joe Root (England)

Joe Root (England) – 36 centuries Joe Root, England’s leading run scorer in Tests in recent years has scored 36 Test hundreds. He has scored 13087 runs at an average of 50.92. Root is known for scoring high runs in all kinds of conditions and continues to be a key player for England batting lineup.

Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith (Australia) – 36 centuries Steve Smith has also scored 36 Test centuries in 117 matches at an average of 56.55. He stands out for his unique batting style and amazing consistency. He is one of the best Test batters of modern times.

Rahul Dravid (India)

Rahul Dravid (India) – 36 centuries Rahul Dravid, often called ‘The Wall’ for his solid defense has scored 36 centuries in 164 Tests. He scored 13288 Test runs at an average of 52.31. Known for his patience and technique, Dravid has played many important innings in tough overseas conditions.

Here’s a look at the top seven players with the most Test centuries. Most of these legends come from cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia and South Africa.

In the long history of Test cricket, scoring a century is one of the biggest achievements for a batter. While many players have reached this mark but there are only few who have done it regularly over many years and across different formats. Here’s a look at the top seven players with the most Test centuries. Most of these legends come from cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia and South Africa.

Here’s a look at the top seven players with the most Test centuries. Most of these legends come from cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia and South Africa.

Joe Root to Sachin Tendulkar: 7 batters with most Test centuries

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) - the IPL 2024 winners, mulls replacing Gautam Gambhir with Jacques Kallis as the new team mentor. Following switching bases from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to KKR ahead of the last season, Gambhir was instrumental in helping the team lift the trophy for the third time.

However, soon after tasting success with the franchise he captained before, Gautam took over the Team India head coach role, replacing Rahul Dravid.

Though his role runs until December 2027, Gambhir taking along Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, who was also part of KKR’s backroom staff, is a bigger issue to resolve for the franchise. With Chandrakant Pandit continuing as KKR’s head coach, they seek a new mentor.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bangladesh-tests-bound-akash-deep-credits-mohammed-shami-for-duleep-trophy-first-round-success-757019">Bangladesh Tests-bound Akash Deep credits Mohammed Shami for Duleep Trophy first-round success</a>

Per a report in the Hindustan Times, KKR is mulling over bringing their former two-time IPL champion Kallis back into the coaching staff. Kallis, regarded as the greatest modern-day all-rounder, played for a few seasons for KKR before being appointed as their mentor in 2015 and head coach in 2016, replacing Trevor Bayliss.

Besides, the other contenders KKR is considering are former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting and Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Operations Kumar Sangakkara.&nbsp;

Ponting left his job as DC head coach following IPL 2024, while Sangakkara’s RR appointed Rahul Dravid as their new head coach. Ponting, however, expressed his interest in coaching an IPL franchise sooner.

<h2>BCCI yet to release revised IPL auction rules</h2>

Following a high-profile meeting that included owners and stakeholders of all ten IPL teams, where everyone shared their thoughts on the retention list and Right to Match (RTM) card, the BCCI has yet to release the revised rules.

Per the previous rules exercised during the last mega auction in 2022, each team had four retentions, with the IPL council and BCCI removing the RTM card then.&nbsp;

However, ahead of the next mega auction, scheduled for December 2024,&nbsp;the ones&nbsp;having their bases set and tasted success have pushed for more retentions, somewhere around six or seven, while others have opted for no retentions.&nbsp;

Though the board might not consider this idea, the BCCI might settle around three or four retentions, excluding an RTM card.&nbsp;

The BCCI could make the verdict public anytime soon. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) - the IPL 2024 winners, mulls replacing Gautam Gambhir with Jacques Kallis as the new team mentor. Following switching bases from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to KKR ahead of the last season, Gambhir was instrumental in helping the team lift the trophy for the third time.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) - the IPL 2024 winners, mulls replacing Gautam Gambhir with Jacques Kallis as the new team mentor. Following switching bases from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to KKR ahead of the last season, Gambhir was instrumental in helping the team lift the trophy for the third time. However, soon after tasting success with the franchise he captained before, Gautam took over the Team India head coach role, replacing Rahul Dravid. Though his role runs until December 2027, Gambhir taking along Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, who was also part of KKR’s backroom staff, is a bigger issue to resolve for the franchise. With Chandrakant Pandit continuing as KKR’s head coach, they seek a new mentor. ALSO READ: Bangladesh Tests-bound Akash Deep credits Mohammed Shami for Duleep Trophy first-round success Per a report in the Hindustan Times, KKR is mulling over bringing their former two-time IPL champion Kallis back into the coaching staff. Kallis, regarded as the greatest modern-day all-rounder, played for a few seasons for KKR before being appointed as their mentor in 2015 and head coach in 2016, replacing Trevor Bayliss. Besides, the other contenders KKR is considering are former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting and Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Operations Kumar Sangakkara. Ponting left his job as DC head coach following IPL 2024, while Sangakkara’s RR appointed Rahul Dravid as their new head coach. Ponting, however, expressed his interest in coaching an IPL franchise sooner. BCCI yet to release revised IPL auction rules Following a high-profile meeting that included owners and stakeholders of all ten IPL teams, where everyone shared their thoughts on the retention list and Right to Match (RTM) card, the BCCI has yet to release the revised rules. Per the previous rules exercised during the last mega auction in 2022, each team had four retentions, with the IPL council and BCCI removing the RTM card then. However, ahead of the next mega auction, scheduled for December 2024, the ones having their bases set and tasted success have pushed for more retentions, somewhere around six or seven, while others have opted for no retentions. Though the board might not consider this idea, the BCCI might settle around three or four retentions, excluding an RTM card. The BCCI could make the verdict public anytime soon. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL: KKR mulls replacing Gautam Gambhir with Jacques Kallis as team mentor – Reports

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has backed struggling Indian batter Shubman Gill after he yet again failed to impress in the second Test match. Gill, whose average has taken a hit&nbsp;in&nbsp;last 10 Test matches is struggling for form despite having a breakthrough in 2023. However, Pietersen has come to the batter’s aid and insisted that he could go on to achieve big things like former South Africa great Jacques Kallis who also had a poor start to his Test career.

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Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and turned out to be arguably the greatest player to play the game. 
 
Give <a href="https://twitter.com/ShubmanGill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShubmanGill</a> time to find it please. 
 
He’s a serious player! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvENG</a>
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1753411798269833269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Pietersen backs Gill</h2>

“Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and turned out to be arguably the greatest player to play the game. Give Shubman Gill time to find it please. He’s a serious player,” Pietersen wrote on his X handle.

For the fifth time in his brief career, Gill was dismissed by James Anderson on 34 and was India’s second-highest scorer at Stumps on Day 1. The Indian batter has seen in slump in form after the ODI World Cup and has scored 166 runs in 11 innings with a best of 36 against South Africa in the first innings of the Cape Town Test in December. His average of 15 makes matters worse with India already struggling with injuries and key absentees. The Men in Blue have KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja injured while Virat Kohli is also unavailable due to personal reasons.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-would-be-disappointing-if-england-dont-win-the-series-says-atherton-after-visitors-bright-start-686235">Ind vs Eng: Would be disappointing if England don't win the series, says Atherton after visitors' bright start</a>

In 2023, Gill scored 258 runs in 10 Test innings including a hundred against Australia in March. In the limited-overs format, he enjoyed more success including a double ton against New Zealand in January. Altogether he scored 1584 runs in 29 matches including five hundreds in the ODIs while T20Is he scored 312 runs with a best of unbeaten 126.

<h2>What happened on Day 1?</h2>

After winning the toss, India decided to bat first having made two changes to the side that lost in Hyderabad. Rohit and Yashavi Jaiswal opened for the Indian side with Rajat Paitdar and Mukesh Kumar coming in as two changes. While Rohit was dismissed early, it was his partner Jaiswal who was the difference-maker as he scored an unbeaten 179 with wickets falling at consistent intervals.&nbsp; India closed the day at 336/6 and will hope to cross 400 on the second day of the match.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has backed struggling Indian batter Shubman Gill after he yet again failed to impress in the second Test match. Gill, whose average has taken a hit in last 10 Test matches is struggling for form despite having a breakthrough in 2023.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has backed struggling Indian batter Shubman Gill after he yet again failed to impress in the second Test match. Gill, whose average has taken a hit in last 10 Test matches is struggling for form despite having a breakthrough in 2023. However, Pietersen has come to the batter’s aid and insisted that he could go on to achieve big things like former South Africa great Jacques Kallis who also had a poor start to his Test career. Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and turned out to be arguably the greatest player to play the game. Give @ShubmanGill time to find it please. He’s a serious player! #INDvENG — Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) February 2, 2024 × Pietersen backs Gill “Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and turned out to be arguably the greatest player to play the game. Give Shubman Gill time to find it please. He’s a serious player,” Pietersen wrote on his X handle. For the fifth time in his brief career, Gill was dismissed by James Anderson on 34 and was India’s second-highest scorer at Stumps on Day 1. The Indian batter has seen in slump in form after the ODI World Cup and has scored 166 runs in 11 innings with a best of 36 against South Africa in the first innings of the Cape Town Test in December. His average of 15 makes matters worse with India already struggling with injuries and key absentees. The Men in Blue have KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja injured while Virat Kohli is also unavailable due to personal reasons. ALSO READ | Ind vs Eng: Would be disappointing if England don't win the series, says Atherton after visitors' bright start In 2023, Gill scored 258 runs in 10 Test innings including a hundred against Australia in March. In the limited-overs format, he enjoyed more success including a double ton against New Zealand in January. Altogether he scored 1584 runs in 29 matches including five hundreds in the ODIs while T20Is he scored 312 runs with a best of unbeaten 126. What happened on Day 1? After winning the toss, India decided to bat first having made two changes to the side that lost in Hyderabad. Rohit and Yashavi Jaiswal opened for the Indian side with Rajat Paitdar and Mukesh Kumar coming in as two changes. While Rohit was dismissed early, it was his partner Jaiswal who was the difference-maker as he scored an unbeaten 179 with wickets falling at consistent intervals. India closed the day at 336/6 and will hope to cross 400 on the second day of the match.

IND vs ENG: Kevin Pietersen backs Shubman Gill despite shaky form, compares to THIS legendary player

Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has predicted the highest run-getter in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023&nbsp;being held in India. The forthcoming mega event will kick off in the subcontinent on October 05 with the defending champions Jos Buttler-led England taking on New Zealand in Ahmedabad whereas hosts Rohit Sharma-led India face Australia, in Chennai, on October 08.

Kallis, a legend who represented South Africa in 166 Tests, 328 ODIs and 25 T20Is, feels England captain Buttler will end up as the leading run-scorer in the upcoming edition. In the last edition, in England and Wales, Rohit Sharma ended with 648 runs -- most by any batter.

"I think Jos Butler will be the leading run scorer. An outside call, but I fancy him in those conditions. Along with England having a good World Cup, I think, um, me, he's going to be the one guy that stands up," said Kallis while speaking to the ICC.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/siraj-should-play-ahead-of-shardul-thakur-or-prasidh-krishna-in-cwc-23-feels-former-indian-opener-629096">Siraj should play ahead of Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna in CWC '23, feels former Indian opener</a>

Buttler has played 165 ODIs for the Three Lions, scoring&nbsp;4,647 runs at a strike rate of&nbsp;117.97 along with 11 tons and 24 fifties. He has a lot of experience of playing in India, thanks to his stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he plays for the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Overall, he&nbsp;has scored 3,223 runs from 96 IPL matches, at an impressive strike-rate of 148.32.&nbsp;

However, Buttler doesn't have a good ODI record in India -- having managed&nbsp;83 runs in eight matches so far at an average of&nbsp;11. Thus, he has a task to improve his record and help England successfully defend their title. The one-time winners have a plethora of superstars in their line-up, such as Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Moeen Ali, etc. Having already led England to the championship in his only ICC event as captain, during the 2022 T20 World Cup, Buttler will feel confident leading the English line-up in the upcoming big-ticket event.

Other batters who can end up as the highest run-getter in CWC '23 are Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Babar Azam, Quinton de Kock, David Warner, etc.

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Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has predicted the highest run-getter in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 being held in India. The forthcoming mega event will kick off in the subcontinent on October 05 with the defending champions Jos Buttler-led England taking on New Zealand in Ahmedabad whereas hosts Rohit Sharma-led India face Australia, in Chennai, on October 08.

Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has predicted the highest run-getter in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 being held in India. The forthcoming mega event will kick off in the subcontinent on October 05 with the defending champions Jos Buttler-led England taking on New Zealand in Ahmedabad whereas hosts Rohit Sharma-led India face Australia, in Chennai, on October 08. Kallis, a legend who represented South Africa in 166 Tests, 328 ODIs and 25 T20Is, feels England captain Buttler will end up as the leading run-scorer in the upcoming edition. In the last edition, in England and Wales, Rohit Sharma ended with 648 runs -- most by any batter. "I think Jos Butler will be the leading run scorer. An outside call, but I fancy him in those conditions. Along with England having a good World Cup, I think, um, me, he's going to be the one guy that stands up," said Kallis while speaking to the ICC. Also read: Siraj should play ahead of Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna in CWC '23, feels former Indian opener Buttler has played 165 ODIs for the Three Lions, scoring 4,647 runs at a strike rate of 117.97 along with 11 tons and 24 fifties. He has a lot of experience of playing in India, thanks to his stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he plays for the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Overall, he has scored 3,223 runs from 96 IPL matches, at an impressive strike-rate of 148.32. However, Buttler doesn't have a good ODI record in India -- having managed 83 runs in eight matches so far at an average of 11. Thus, he has a task to improve his record and help England successfully defend their title. The one-time winners have a plethora of superstars in their line-up, such as Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Moeen Ali, etc. Having already led England to the championship in his only ICC event as captain, during the 2022 T20 World Cup, Buttler will feel confident leading the English line-up in the upcoming big-ticket event. Other batters who can end up as the highest run-getter in CWC '23 are Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Babar Azam, Quinton de Kock, David Warner, etc. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

CWC '23: SA legend Jacques Kallis predicts THIS English star to be the leading run-getter

In the modern era, the likes of Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Joe Root, etc. are some big-ticket players who often make heads turn with their superlative performances on the 22-yard cricket strip. Fans closely follow every move of their favourite superstar cricketer from the current lot, both on and off the field (including their brand endorsements, tv appearances, etc.). All this helps every cricketer create a huge fanbase across the globe and also helps him, or her, cash in on their huge demand and increase their bank balance.

Recently, the World Index shared a tweet&nbsp;mentioning the top-ten richest cricketers in the world in 2023. While many would have expected an active cricketer to top the list, it is spearheaded by Australia's former wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. Here's the tweet:

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wtc-final-reliving-indias-run-in-second-cycle-as-they-qualify-for-summit-clash-571561">WTC Final: Reliving India's run in second cycle as they qualify for summit clash</a>

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Top 10 Richest Cricketers In The World, 2023 
 
🇦🇺AC Gilchrist: $380m (estimated net worth) 
🇮🇳SR Tendulkar: $170m 
🇮🇳MS Dhoni: $115m 
🇮🇳V Kohli: $112m 
🇦🇺RT Ponting: $75m 
🇿🇦JH Kallis: $70m 
🌴BC Lara: $60m 
🇮🇳V Sehwag: $40m 
🇮🇳Yuvraj Singh: $35m 
🇦🇺Steve Smith: $30m 
 
(CEOWORLD magazine)
— World Index (@theworldindex) <a href="https://twitter.com/theworldindex/status/1635535454916210689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Is Adam Gilchrist the richest cricketer in the world?

Gilchrist’s aforementioned net worth is due to&nbsp;F45. It is to be noted that&nbsp;F45 Training is a chain of fitness centres around the world and&nbsp;the CEO of the company is one of the wealthiest people in Australia. The CEO is named Adam Gilchrist but he isn't the former Aussie opener, as per a report in Sports Rush.

Gilchrist (F45 Fitness founder) made the headlines last year&nbsp;when he earned around a whopping $500 million overnight. He floated his company on the New York Stock Exchange and this is when his life turned for the good as he saw astonishing results. In his 40s, he opened a single gym in Sydney in 2013 and the rest is history for the Aussie.

Thus, it is clear that the F45 fitness founder &amp; CEO and Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist are not the same or related to each other by any means. Talking about the former cricketer's net worth, it remains unknown. However, it can certainly not be more than most Indian cricketers.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the cricketer Gilchrist&nbsp;represented Australia in 96 Tests, 287 ODIs and 13 T20Is amassing 5570, 9619 and 272 runs respectively. In addition, he ended with 905 wicketkeeping dismissals overall (second-most by any keeper). He was part of Australia's 1999, 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cup triumphs; winning the Player-of-the-Match in the 2007 edition's final for his memorable 149 versus Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

In the modern era, the likes of Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Joe Root, etc. are some big-ticket players who often make heads turn with their superlative performances on the 22-yard cricket strip.

In the modern era, the likes of Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Joe Root, etc. are some big-ticket players who often make heads turn with their superlative performances on the 22-yard cricket strip. Fans closely follow every move of their favourite superstar cricketer from the current lot, both on and off the field (including their brand endorsements, tv appearances, etc.). All this helps every cricketer create a huge fanbase across the globe and also helps him, or her, cash in on their huge demand and increase their bank balance. Recently, the World Index shared a tweet mentioning the top-ten richest cricketers in the world in 2023. While many would have expected an active cricketer to top the list, it is spearheaded by Australia's former wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. Here's the tweet: Also Read: WTC Final: Reliving India's run in second cycle as they qualify for summit clash Top 10 Richest Cricketers In The World, 2023 🇦🇺AC Gilchrist: $380m (estimated net worth) 🇮🇳SR Tendulkar: $170m 🇮🇳MS Dhoni: $115m 🇮🇳V Kohli: $112m 🇦🇺RT Ponting: $75m 🇿🇦JH Kallis: $70m 🌴BC Lara: $60m 🇮🇳V Sehwag: $40m 🇮🇳Yuvraj Singh: $35m 🇦🇺Steve Smith: $30m (CEOWORLD magazine) — World Index (@theworldindex) March 14, 2023 × Is Adam Gilchrist the richest cricketer in the world? Gilchrist’s aforementioned net worth is due to F45. It is to be noted that F45 Training is a chain of fitness centres around the world and the CEO of the company is one of the wealthiest people in Australia. The CEO is named Adam Gilchrist but he isn't the former Aussie opener, as per a report in Sports Rush. Gilchrist (F45 Fitness founder) made the headlines last year when he earned around a whopping $500 million overnight. He floated his company on the New York Stock Exchange and this is when his life turned for the good as he saw astonishing results. In his 40s, he opened a single gym in Sydney in 2013 and the rest is history for the Aussie. Thus, it is clear that the F45 fitness founder & CEO and Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist are not the same or related to each other by any means. Talking about the former cricketer's net worth, it remains unknown. However, it can certainly not be more than most Indian cricketers. Meanwhile, the cricketer Gilchrist represented Australia in 96 Tests, 287 ODIs and 13 T20Is amassing 5570, 9619 and 272 runs respectively. In addition, he ended with 905 wicketkeeping dismissals overall (second-most by any keeper). He was part of Australia's 1999, 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cup triumphs; winning the Player-of-the-Match in the 2007 edition's final for his memorable 149 versus Sri Lanka. ×

FACT CHECK: Is Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist the richest cricketer in the world? Here's the TRUTH

Virat Kohli returned to international cricket during the Asia Cup after a break post the England tour. The 33-year-old announced his return in style, ending the continental tournament as the second-highest run-getter (276 runs) in five outings and ended his international century drought in India's face-off versus Afghanistan.

Kohli will now look to carry on in a similar stead and play a key role in guiding India to a title win in the upcoming T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia from October-November. Ahead of the showpiece event Down Under, India are set to host Australia in three T20Is and South Africa in three T20Is and ODIs each. Prior to the Australia T20Is, which kicks off on Tuesday (September 20), Kohli is just 207 runs away from surpassing head coach and former Indian captain Rahul Dravid in an elite list of batters.

Most international runs

Sachin Tendulkar - 34,357

Kumar Sangakkara - 28,016

Ricky Ponting - 27,483

Mahela Jayawardene - 25,957

Jacques Kallis - 25,534

Rahul Dravid - 24,208

Virat Kohli - 24,002

Brian Lara - 22,358

Sanath Jayasuriya - 21,032

Shivnarine Chanderpaul - 20,988'

If Kohli has a memorable series versus the defending champions Australia, against whom he averages an impressive 64.42, he might pip Dravid to take the sixth spot in the overall list, becoming India's second-highest run-getter as well.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-virat-kohli-break-sachin-tendulkars-historic-feat-ricky-ponting-shares-his-take-517856">Will Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar's historic feat? Ricky Ponting shares his take</a>

Ahead of the series opener, captain Rohit also hinted at the possibility of using Kohli as an opener in the T20 WC. In&nbsp;a press conference, he said, "Virat Kohli is our third opener and he will open in some of the games. In the last match of Asia Cup, we were happy with the way he played. But KL Rahul will open the batting in the World Cup, we do not want to experiment with that position a lot,&nbsp;his performance sometimes goes quite unnoticed."

"He is a very important player for Team India. For us, I just want to make it clear, we are clear in our thought process. We do not have any confusion, we are very clear what KL Rahul brings to the table for us, he is a quality player and is very important for us. His presence at the top is very crucial for us," Hitman added.

Virat Kohli returned to international cricket during the Asia Cup after a break post the England tour. The 33-year-old announced his return in style, ending the continental tournament as the second-highest run-getter (276 runs) in five outings and ended his international century drought in India's face-off versus Afghanistan.

Virat Kohli returned to international cricket during the Asia Cup after a break post the England tour. The 33-year-old announced his return in style, ending the continental tournament as the second-highest run-getter (276 runs) in five outings and ended his international century drought in India's face-off versus Afghanistan. Kohli will now look to carry on in a similar stead and play a key role in guiding India to a title win in the upcoming T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia from October-November. Ahead of the showpiece event Down Under, India are set to host Australia in three T20Is and South Africa in three T20Is and ODIs each. Prior to the Australia T20Is, which kicks off on Tuesday (September 20), Kohli is just 207 runs away from surpassing head coach and former Indian captain Rahul Dravid in an elite list of batters. Most international runs Sachin Tendulkar - 34,357 Kumar Sangakkara - 28,016 Ricky Ponting - 27,483 Mahela Jayawardene - 25,957 Jacques Kallis - 25,534 Rahul Dravid - 24,208 Virat Kohli - 24,002 Brian Lara - 22,358 Sanath Jayasuriya - 21,032 Shivnarine Chanderpaul - 20,988' If Kohli has a memorable series versus the defending champions Australia, against whom he averages an impressive 64.42, he might pip Dravid to take the sixth spot in the overall list, becoming India's second-highest run-getter as well. ALSO READ | Will Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar's historic feat? Ricky Ponting shares his take Ahead of the series opener, captain Rohit also hinted at the possibility of using Kohli as an opener in the T20 WC. In a press conference, he said, "Virat Kohli is our third opener and he will open in some of the games. In the last match of Asia Cup, we were happy with the way he played. But KL Rahul will open the batting in the World Cup, we do not want to experiment with that position a lot, his performance sometimes goes quite unnoticed." "He is a very important player for Team India. For us, I just want to make it clear, we are clear in our thought process. We do not have any confusion, we are very clear what KL Rahul brings to the table for us, he is a quality player and is very important for us. His presence at the top is very crucial for us," Hitman added.

Ind vs Aus: Virat Kohli 207 runs away from overtaking head coach Rahul Dravid in elite list

England's Jonny Bairstow Thursday said the addition of South African great Jacques Kallis as batting consultant is a "fantastic addition" to their squad during the Sri Lanka tour.

The 45-year-old Kallis has flown in from South Africa to join England for their two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting January 14.

Bairstow, who is expected to make his Test return after more than a year, is looking forward to working with the class of Kallis, whom he rates as the "best ever all-rounder".

"I think it is a fantastic addition, someone of Jacques' calibre," Bairstow told reporters in a virtual chat from his hotel room in Hambantota.

"The things he has done within the game, in my eyes he is the best all-rounder that there has ever been.

"Someone that batted at the top of the order, caught absolute flies at slip and got so many wickets as well."

Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an average of over 55 in 166 Tests and took 292 wickets with his pace bowling during his 19-year-old international career.

Only India's Sachin Tendulkar and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting have scored more runs than the former Proteas all-rounder in the five-day format.

Bairstow, 31, believes he has a lot to learn from the South African legend who is in isolation in Sri Lanka and should join the squad on Friday.

"There are so many different aspects you could speak to him about.&nbsp;I am really intrigued to spend more time with him and gauge and understand the process," said Bairstow.

"Because to string all three bits together so successfully, over such a long period of time, is a skill in itself.

"It's great to have Jacques around and I am really looking forward to spending some time with him and working with him."

The England team, led by Joe Root, underwent their second training session in Hambantota on Thursday after an early setback when all-rounder Moeen Ali tested positive for Covid 19.

England's Jonny Bairstow Thursday said the addition of South African great Jacques Kallis as batting consultant is a "fantastic addition" to their squad during the Sri Lanka tour.

England's Jonny Bairstow Thursday said the addition of South African great Jacques Kallis as batting consultant is a "fantastic addition" to their squad during the Sri Lanka tour. The 45-year-old Kallis has flown in from South Africa to join England for their two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting January 14. Bairstow, who is expected to make his Test return after more than a year, is looking forward to working with the class of Kallis, whom he rates as the "best ever all-rounder". "I think it is a fantastic addition, someone of Jacques' calibre," Bairstow told reporters in a virtual chat from his hotel room in Hambantota. "The things he has done within the game, in my eyes he is the best all-rounder that there has ever been. "Someone that batted at the top of the order, caught absolute flies at slip and got so many wickets as well." Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an average of over 55 in 166 Tests and took 292 wickets with his pace bowling during his 19-year-old international career. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting have scored more runs than the former Proteas all-rounder in the five-day format. Bairstow, 31, believes he has a lot to learn from the South African legend who is in isolation in Sri Lanka and should join the squad on Friday. "There are so many different aspects you could speak to him about. I am really intrigued to spend more time with him and gauge and understand the process," said Bairstow. "Because to string all three bits together so successfully, over such a long period of time, is a skill in itself. "It's great to have Jacques around and I am really looking forward to spending some time with him and working with him." The England team, led by Joe Root, underwent their second training session in Hambantota on Thursday after an early setback when all-rounder Moeen Ali tested positive for Covid 19.

Bairstow hails Kallis as 'fantastic addition' for England

South African cricket icon Jacques Kallis will be a batting consultant for England's tour of Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday.&nbsp;

The 45-year-old is third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers with 13,289 --he also took 292 wickets.

Kallis coached Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and worked with the South Africa team, but was not part of the set-up for England's recent coronavirus-disrupted tour.

"Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis joins the England setup for the first time as batting coaching consultant," the ECB said in a statement.

England will leave for Sri Lanka on January 2 and play two Tests before going on to tour India.

Both Tests will be played in Galle, starting on 14 January and 22 January.

It will be England's first tour since the visit to South Africa had to be brought to a premature end earlier this month after two members of the touring party tested positive for Covid-19. They later tested negative.&nbsp;

England played all three of the scheduled Twenty 20 internationals but none of the three ODIs, the first of which was postponed after a positive test in the South African entourage.

South African cricket icon Jacques Kallis will be a batting consultant for England's tour of Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday. The 45-year-old is third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers with 13,289 --he also took 292 wickets.

South African cricket icon Jacques Kallis will be a batting consultant for England's tour of Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday. The 45-year-old is third on the all-time list of Test run-scorers with 13,289 --he also took 292 wickets. Kallis coached Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and worked with the South Africa team, but was not part of the set-up for England's recent coronavirus-disrupted tour. "Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis joins the England setup for the first time as batting coaching consultant," the ECB said in a statement. England will leave for Sri Lanka on January 2 and play two Tests before going on to tour India. Both Tests will be played in Galle, starting on 14 January and 22 January. It will be England's first tour since the visit to South Africa had to be brought to a premature end earlier this month after two members of the touring party tested positive for Covid-19. They later tested negative. England played all three of the scheduled Twenty 20 internationals but none of the three ODIs, the first of which was postponed after a positive test in the South African entourage.

England hire South African batting legend Kallis for Sri Lanka tour

Lisa Sthalekar, Jacques Kallis and Zaheer Abbas became the latest names to be inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame&nbsp;as the global cricket body honoured their stellar careers.

The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame&nbsp;show, hosted by commentator Alan Wilkins, featured retired greats Sunil Gavaskar, Melanie Jones and Shaun Pollock as the main guests and had Wasim Akram, Graeme Smith and Alyssa Healy join in to congratulate and appreciate the 2020 inductees.

Kallis is the fourth South African player inducted and Zaheer the sixth from Pakistan. Lisa is the 27th&nbsp;from Australia and the ninth woman player in the list, which includes five from Australia. In all, 93 players have been inducted so far under the system, which sees retired players become eligible five years after playing their last international match.&nbsp;

Former ICC Cricket Hall of Famers formed the majority of the adjudicating panel with representation from the media, ICC and Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA).&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cpl-2020-chemar-holds-his-nerve-as-chase-is-too-much-for-guyana-322701" hreflang="en">CPL 2020: Chemar holds his nerve as Chase is too much for Guyana</a>

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney:&nbsp;“It is always a pleasure to announce the latest set of inductees into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. These are all players with a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations for years to come. I congratulate Zaheer, Jacques and Lisa on their inclusion in the pantheon of cricket greats.”&nbsp;

Jacques Kallis:&nbsp;“It’s a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. It is something that I never expected when I started playing. I certainly did not play the game for any accolades or anything like that, I only wanted to win the games for whoever I was playing for.&nbsp;

“But it is nice to be recognised when one has succeeded in the sport, it is nice to be recognised by people for something that you have achieved in the game, something that I am really proud of.”&nbsp;

Lisa Sthalekar:&nbsp;“I am deeply humbled to receive this honour. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would ever get to join such an illustrious group of players.&nbsp;

“I was fortunate enough to learn from the best when I entered the Australia team – Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, all of whom have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and rightly so.&nbsp;The guidance from them and other teammates along the way kept me focused but also ensured that it was a fun environment. Thanks to all my teammates.&nbsp;

“It goes without saying that if it wasn’t for the support of my family, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have.”&nbsp;

Zaheer Abbas:&nbsp;“I feel privileged and truly humbled to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame of the class of 2020. I am excited to be in the midst of other illustrious cricketers.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rizwan-adamant-pakistan-can-save-test-despite-following-on-310-runs-behind-england-322697" hreflang="en">Rizwan adamant Pakistan can save Test despite following-on 310 runs behind England</a>

“I would like to say a special thanks to my family, my country Pakistan, my county Gloucestershire and many fans worldwide who helped me achieve and fulfil my dreams by playing this great game at the highest level. Thank you, ICC, and the members of the jury, for this special honour. It is a final recognition for any cricketer.

“This great game has made me the person I am. Thank you cricket.”

Some career highlights of the latest inductees

Jacques Kallis

<ul>
	<li>The only player to score at least 10,000 runs and take at least 250 wickets in both Test and ODI cricket</li>
	<li>ICC Player of the Year and ICC Test Player of the year in 2005</li>
	<li>South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer, and currently third on the all-time list</li>
	<li>The most capped South African player in both Test and ODI cricket</li>
	<li>Scored 113 not out in the semi-final and took 5-30 in the final as South Africa won the first ICC Knockout Tournament (later the ICC Champions Trophy) in 1998</li>
	<li>Won 23 ‘Player of the Match’ awards in Test cricket, more than anyone else</li>
	<li>Spent 592 days as the No.1 ranked Test batsman (2005-2011)</li>
	<li>Spent 4028 days as the No.1 ranked Test all-rounder (2000-2013) and a record 493 matches ranked number 1</li>
</ul>

Lisa Sthalekar

<ul>
	<li>Over the course of her career, topped both ODI batting and bowling rankings</li>
	<li>The first woman to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODI cricket</li>
	<li>Spent 934 days as the No.1 ranked ODI all-rounder (2007-2010)</li>
	<li>Part of the Australia teams that won the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2005 and 2013 and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2012</li>
	<li>She won 12 Women’s National Cricket League titles with New South Wales, and was captain for five victories in a row</li>
	<li>Short-listed for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in both 2007 and 2008 and for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2012</li>
</ul>

Zaheer Abbas

<ul>
	<li>The only player from Asia to have scored at least a 100 first-class hundreds</li>
	<li>Became just the second player to score his hundredth first-class century in a Test Match</li>
	<li>He scored two centuries in the same first-class match on a record eight occasions</li>
	<li>On a record four occasions he scored a double-century and a century in the same first-class match</li>
	<li>The first player to score three successive centuries in ODI cricket</li>
	<li>Spent 215 days as the No.1 ranked ODI batsman (1983-1984)</li>
	<li>Captained Pakistan in 14 Test Matches, and only lost one of them</li>
	<li>Later served as an ICC Match Referee and as ICC President</li>
</ul>

Lisa Sthalekar, Jacques Kallis and Zaheer Abbas became the latest names to be inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame as the global cricket body honoured their stellar careers.

Lisa Sthalekar, Jacques Kallis and Zaheer Abbas became the latest names to be inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame as the global cricket body honoured their stellar careers. The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame show, hosted by commentator Alan Wilkins, featured retired greats Sunil Gavaskar, Melanie Jones and Shaun Pollock as the main guests and had Wasim Akram, Graeme Smith and Alyssa Healy join in to congratulate and appreciate the 2020 inductees. Kallis is the fourth South African player inducted and Zaheer the sixth from Pakistan. Lisa is the 27th from Australia and the ninth woman player in the list, which includes five from Australia. In all, 93 players have been inducted so far under the system, which sees retired players become eligible five years after playing their last international match. Former ICC Cricket Hall of Famers formed the majority of the adjudicating panel with representation from the media, ICC and Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA). ALSO READ: CPL 2020: Chemar holds his nerve as Chase is too much for Guyana ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney: “It is always a pleasure to announce the latest set of inductees into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. These are all players with a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations for years to come. I congratulate Zaheer, Jacques and Lisa on their inclusion in the pantheon of cricket greats.” Jacques Kallis: “It’s a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. It is something that I never expected when I started playing. I certainly did not play the game for any accolades or anything like that, I only wanted to win the games for whoever I was playing for. “But it is nice to be recognised when one has succeeded in the sport, it is nice to be recognised by people for something that you have achieved in the game, something that I am really proud of.” Lisa Sthalekar: “I am deeply humbled to receive this honour. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would ever get to join such an illustrious group of players. “I was fortunate enough to learn from the best when I entered the Australia team – Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, all of whom have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and rightly so. The guidance from them and other teammates along the way kept me focused but also ensured that it was a fun environment. Thanks to all my teammates. “It goes without saying that if it wasn’t for the support of my family, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have.” Zaheer Abbas: “I feel privileged and truly humbled to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame of the class of 2020. I am excited to be in the midst of other illustrious cricketers. ALSO READ: Rizwan adamant Pakistan can save Test despite following-on 310 runs behind England “I would like to say a special thanks to my family, my country Pakistan, my county Gloucestershire and many fans worldwide who helped me achieve and fulfil my dreams by playing this great game at the highest level. Thank you, ICC, and the members of the jury, for this special honour. It is a final recognition for any cricketer. “This great game has made me the person I am. Thank you cricket.” Some career highlights of the latest inductees Jacques Kallis The only player to score at least 10,000 runs and take at least 250 wickets in both Test and ODI cricket ICC Player of the Year and ICC Test Player of the year in 2005 South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer, and currently third on the all-time list The most capped South African player in both Test and ODI cricket Scored 113 not out in the semi-final and took 5-30 in the final as South Africa won the first ICC Knockout Tournament (later the ICC Champions Trophy) in 1998 Won 23 ‘Player of the Match’ awards in Test cricket, more than anyone else Spent 592 days as the No.1 ranked Test batsman (2005-2011) Spent 4028 days as the No.1 ranked Test all-rounder (2000-2013) and a record 493 matches ranked number 1 Lisa Sthalekar Over the course of her career, topped both ODI batting and bowling rankings The first woman to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODI cricket Spent 934 days as the No.1 ranked ODI all-rounder (2007-2010) Part of the Australia teams that won the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2005 and 2013 and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2012 She won 12 Women’s National Cricket League titles with New South Wales, and was captain for five victories in a row Short-listed for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in both 2007 and 2008 and for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2012 Zaheer Abbas The only player from Asia to have scored at least a 100 first-class hundreds Became just the second player to score his hundredth first-class century in a Test Match He scored two centuries in the same first-class match on a record eight occasions On a record four occasions he scored a double-century and a century in the same first-class match The first player to score three successive centuries in ODI cricket Spent 215 days as the No.1 ranked ODI batsman (1983-1984) Captained Pakistan in 14 Test Matches, and only lost one of them Later served as an ICC Match Referee and as ICC President

Kallis, Sthalekar and Zaheer Abbas inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Indian skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/was-tired-when-i-reached-score-of-65-virat-kohli-tells-chahal-242487">Virat Kohli </a>on Wednesday added yet another feather in his cap as he became the first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a single decade.

Kohli now has 20,502 runs across all three formats of the game.

Out of these 20,502, Kohli has scored 20,018 in the ongoing decade.

Earlier, Australia's former skipper Ricky Ponting held the record for scoring most international runs in a decade with 18,962 runs to his credit in the 2000s.

Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis is on the third position with 16,777 runs in the 2000s.

Former Sri Lankan players Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are on the 4th and 5th position with 16,304 and 15,999 runs respectively.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is on the sixth position with 15,962 runs in the 2000s.

Kohli went on to play an unbeaten knock of 114 against West Indies in the final ODI of the three-match series. The knock enabled the side to register a six-wicket victory over the hosts and win the series 2-0.

Kohli had made his debut for India in the IDO side in 2008 and forayed into the Test and T20I formats in 2010.

The 30-year-old had also registered a century in the second ODI of the series by scoring 120 runs. With this knock, Kohli had surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become the second-highest run-scorer for India in the ODI format.

He also became the highest run-scorer against West Indies in the ODI format. 
&nbsp;

Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday added yet another feather in his cap as he became the first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a single decade.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday added yet another feather in his cap as he became the first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a single decade. Kohli now has 20,502 runs across all three formats of the game. Out of these 20,502, Kohli has scored 20,018 in the ongoing decade. Earlier, Australia's former skipper Ricky Ponting held the record for scoring most international runs in a decade with 18,962 runs to his credit in the 2000s. Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis is on the third position with 16,777 runs in the 2000s. Former Sri Lankan players Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are on the 4th and 5th position with 16,304 and 15,999 runs respectively. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is on the sixth position with 15,962 runs in the 2000s. Kohli went on to play an unbeaten knock of 114 against West Indies in the final ODI of the three-match series. The knock enabled the side to register a six-wicket victory over the hosts and win the series 2-0. Kohli had made his debut for India in the IDO side in 2008 and forayed into the Test and T20I formats in 2010. The 30-year-old had also registered a century in the second ODI of the series by scoring 120 runs. With this knock, Kohli had surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become the second-highest run-scorer for India in the ODI format. He also became the highest run-scorer against West Indies in the ODI format.

Virat Kohli becomes first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a decade

After Shastri who? Foreign coaches who can help power India's World Cup dream in 2023

South Africa cannot afford any more mistakes at the World Cup and will need to win almost all their remaining seven games if they hope to qualify for the semi-finals, former all-rounder Jacques Kallis has said.

South Africa lost their tournament opener to England by 104 runs before they suffered an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bangladesh-beat-south-africa-by-21-runs-in-cricket-world-cup-223723">upset 21-run defeat against Bangladesh</a> on Sunday.

"I think you'll need six wins, maybe five with a really good run rate, to finish in the top four," Kallis said in a column for the International Cricket Council.

"So South Africa almost need to win every game they will play. There will be no margin for error," he added.&nbsp;

The top four teams from the new round-robin format qualify for the semi-finals and defeat against India on Wednesday could also potentially affect South Africa's net run rate, which will decide the final standings if teams are tied on points and wins.

"It doesn't get any easier though against India but it's their first game and our third, so maybe that could give us the edge we need," Kallis added.

"They've not played for a week and maybe there will be some first game nerves, whereas we're settled.

"Strange things happen in this sport and if we can get a win then I think we can go on a streak and we are still good enough to be a contender."

South Africa vs Bangladesh match in numbers:
<img alt="Match 5" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0784e6de-d258-4b15-a381-85c60509c6e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/match%205.jpg" />
Kallis criticised captain Faf du Plessis for the lack of a backup plan during Bangladesh's innings.

"It's great having a game plan but you need to have a back-up when it's not working, I felt we were one step behind the entire match and just tactically a bit off," he said. "We need to be a bit smarter."

Injuries to South Africa's pace attack have also thrown a spanner in the works with experienced Dale Steyn yet to fully recover from a shoulder injury and Lungi Ngidi injuring his hamstring against Bangladesh.

"The injury to Lungi Ngidi certainly didn't help Faf," Kallis added. "He's a world-class player and a big part of our attack. You've got to play Dale Steyn against India now, and hopefully he is close to fitness.

"We've got to play all our cards and we can't afford anymore silly mistakes at vital stages. These are the best sides in the world and they'll always punish you."

South Africa cannot afford any more mistakes at the World Cup and will need to win almost all their remaining seven games if they hope to qualify for the semi-finals, former all-rounder Jacques Kallis has said.

South Africa cannot afford any more mistakes at the World Cup and will need to win almost all their remaining seven games if they hope to qualify for the semi-finals, former all-rounder Jacques Kallis has said. South Africa lost their tournament opener to England by 104 runs before they suffered an upset 21-run defeat against Bangladesh on Sunday. "I think you'll need six wins, maybe five with a really good run rate, to finish in the top four," Kallis said in a column for the International Cricket Council. "So South Africa almost need to win every game they will play. There will be no margin for error," he added. The top four teams from the new round-robin format qualify for the semi-finals and defeat against India on Wednesday could also potentially affect South Africa's net run rate, which will decide the final standings if teams are tied on points and wins. "It doesn't get any easier though against India but it's their first game and our third, so maybe that could give us the edge we need," Kallis added. "They've not played for a week and maybe there will be some first game nerves, whereas we're settled. "Strange things happen in this sport and if we can get a win then I think we can go on a streak and we are still good enough to be a contender." South Africa vs Bangladesh match in numbers: Kallis criticised captain Faf du Plessis for the lack of a backup plan during Bangladesh's innings. "It's great having a game plan but you need to have a back-up when it's not working, I felt we were one step behind the entire match and just tactically a bit off," he said. "We need to be a bit smarter." Injuries to South Africa's pace attack have also thrown a spanner in the works with experienced Dale Steyn yet to fully recover from a shoulder injury and Lungi Ngidi injuring his hamstring against Bangladesh. "The injury to Lungi Ngidi certainly didn't help Faf," Kallis added. "He's a world-class player and a big part of our attack. You've got to play Dale Steyn against India now, and hopefully he is close to fitness. "We've got to play all our cards and we can't afford anymore silly mistakes at vital stages. These are the best sides in the world and they'll always punish you."

South Africa can't afford any more mistakes, says Jacques Kallis

In the opening match of the World Cup today, South African opener <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/south-africas-hashim-amla-is-hungrier-than-ever-before-ahead-of-world-cup-2019-220954&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQr_P718LiAhXo_XMBHQ7iDngQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0moMfXMOJ0TJycudxG3Buu">Hashim Amla</a> will aim to break Indian skipper Virat Kohli's long-standing ODI record of fastest 8,000 runs.

Amla is just 90 runs away from the mark and if he is able to achieve this feat against hosts England in the World Cup opener, he will replace Kohli at the top spot in the list of fastest batsmen to score 8000 runs in ODI format.

Kohli earned the accolade in 175 innings while Amla has played 171 innings in his ODI career, so far.

If Amla clocks the mammoth score, he will also better Kohli's record by three innings.

Amla currently holds the record for being the fastest batsman to go past 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs.

Whenever he goes past the 8000 ODI runs mark, he will become the fourth Proteas batsmen to do so.

Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Herschelle Gibbs are the other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-world-cup-2019-theres-a-lot-more-bigger-things-than-winning-and-losing-cricket-games-says-faf-du-plessis-222584">South African</a> batsmen to have cruised past the benchmark.

Kallis scored 11,550 runs in the ODI format whereas de Villiers and Gibbs scored 9427 and 8094 runs respectively in the ODI format.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/off-form-hashim-amla-makes-south-africa-world-cup-squad-211566&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQr_P718LiAhXo_XMBHQ7iDngQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MbM2TC2z6o3xR8aKENITj">Amla</a> is also on the verge of achieving another feat as he is 37 runs away from becoming the second South African batsman to score 1000 ODI runs against England.

Kallis is the only other Proteas player who has managed the score against England.

Watch:&nbsp;Jamie Alter's report from ground zero ahead of the opening match between England and South Africa

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/six-players-to-watch-out-for-in-opening-clash-between-england-vs-south-africa-of-cricket-world-cup-2019-222213">South Africa takes on the hosts England</a> in the opening match of the World Cup today at the Oval in London.&nbsp;

In the opening match of the World Cup today, South African opener Hashim Amla will aim to break Indian skipper Virat Kohli's long-standing ODI record of fastest 8,000 runs.

In the opening match of the World Cup today, South African opener Hashim Amla will aim to break Indian skipper Virat Kohli's long-standing ODI record of fastest 8,000 runs. Amla is just 90 runs away from the mark and if he is able to achieve this feat against hosts England in the World Cup opener, he will replace Kohli at the top spot in the list of fastest batsmen to score 8000 runs in ODI format. Kohli earned the accolade in 175 innings while Amla has played 171 innings in his ODI career, so far. If Amla clocks the mammoth score, he will also better Kohli's record by three innings. Amla currently holds the record for being the fastest batsman to go past 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs. Whenever he goes past the 8000 ODI runs mark, he will become the fourth Proteas batsmen to do so. Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Herschelle Gibbs are the other South African batsmen to have cruised past the benchmark. Kallis scored 11,550 runs in the ODI format whereas de Villiers and Gibbs scored 9427 and 8094 runs respectively in the ODI format. Amla is also on the verge of achieving another feat as he is 37 runs away from becoming the second South African batsman to score 1000 ODI runs against England. Kallis is the only other Proteas player who has managed the score against England. Watch: Jamie Alter's report from ground zero ahead of the opening match between England and South Africa × South Africa takes on the hosts England in the opening match of the World Cup today at the Oval in London.

Hashim Amla just 90 runs away from breaking Virat Kohli's ODI record

The head coach of Kolkata,&nbsp;Jacques Kallis, said that the omission of spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the team was done keeping in mind the team's balance and he's quite sure that it would not affect his performance in the upcoming World Cup.

"The wickets we have played on at Eden Gardens this year, it hasn't spun at all and it has been tough for spinners. It has been a tough year for him but he will learn from this. You have got to understand 50-over format is quite different from the 20-over format," Kallis told reporters.

"I don't think it will affect him, it's just a different format and unfortunately looking at the makeup of the side, he has not played the last couple of games. He has been working quite hard in the nets and seems to be getting it right again, so I am sure he will be okay for the World Cup," he added.

Kolkata's decision to drop Kuldeep from the playing XI in the last two matches&nbsp;against Rajasthan and Mumbai&nbsp;made many heads turn and many people criticised the team's decision to drop the spinner from the team before the upcoming World Cup.

The team suffered six straight defeats after registering four wins out of their opening five matches.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2019-andre-russell-shines-as-kolkata-beat-mumbai-by-34-runs-214242&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwic_uzl4_7hAhXEmeYKHUOCDLMQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3QK4lbv7dCc7-egybj-Phw">Kolkata&nbsp;was able to win their last match against Mumbai on Sunday at Eden Gardens</a> in Kolkata and as a result of that win, the team still remains in the hunt for playoffs.

Kolkata currently stands at the sixth position in the IPL league standings with 10 points from 12 matches.

The team next takes on Punjab on May 3 at Mohali.

The head coach of Kolkata, Jacques Kallis, said that the omission of spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the team was done keeping in mind the team's balance and he's quite sure that it would not affect his performance in the upcoming World Cup.

The head coach of Kolkata, Jacques Kallis, said that the omission of spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the team was done keeping in mind the team's balance and he's quite sure that it would not affect his performance in the upcoming World Cup. "The wickets we have played on at Eden Gardens this year, it hasn't spun at all and it has been tough for spinners. It has been a tough year for him but he will learn from this. You have got to understand 50-over format is quite different from the 20-over format," Kallis told reporters. "I don't think it will affect him, it's just a different format and unfortunately looking at the makeup of the side, he has not played the last couple of games. He has been working quite hard in the nets and seems to be getting it right again, so I am sure he will be okay for the World Cup," he added. Kolkata's decision to drop Kuldeep from the playing XI in the last two matches against Rajasthan and Mumbai made many heads turn and many people criticised the team's decision to drop the spinner from the team before the upcoming World Cup. The team suffered six straight defeats after registering four wins out of their opening five matches. Kolkata was able to win their last match against Mumbai on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and as a result of that win, the team still remains in the hunt for playoffs. Kolkata currently stands at the sixth position in the IPL league standings with 10 points from 12 matches. The team next takes on Punjab on May 3 at Mohali.

IPL 2019: Kolkata coach opens up on Kuldeep Yadav's omission from the team's last two games

A few days back, a new form was cricket was invented, Ice Cricket, where the game of cricket was played on a beautiful St Moritz frozen lake amid serene and beautiful Alps in freezing cold temperatures.

Virender Sehwag-led Diamonds faced Shahid Afridi-led Royals to play two T20 matches.

It was the biggest and best cricket clash, a match when fans got nostalgic after watching&nbsp;former cricket legends padded up one more time.

Afridi&#39;s team won the series though, 40-year-old Sehwag played exceptionally well in the first match.

Recently a video got viral where Afridi was telling an Indian fan to hold India&#39;s national flag properly while posing for a picture.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Be-1NlBg76g/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Thank u Switzerland ????</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/safridiofficial/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Shahid Afridi</a> (@safridiofficial) on <time datetime="2018-02-09T15:56:45+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 9, 2018 at 7:56am PST</time>
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Earlier, he hailed Indian skipper Virat Kohli and told PTI, &quot;Virat is a fantastic human being and an ambassador of cricket for his country, just like I am for my country.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Virat is doing a brilliant job. I have no problem with aggression if it is a controlled one. And Virat&#39;s character is different from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was a composed individual.

Virat&#39;s greatest asset is that he can take the team along,&quot; Afridi observed.

In the first match as the famous rivals were face to face, Sehwag-Afridi-Akhtar, some &#39;chats&#39; were predicted and same happened during the game but in a cheerful way.

When Sehwag was playing, a witty comment was recorded in the stumps mic. In which Sehwag said to Afridi, &quot;tu apni harkato se baaz nhi ayega.&quot;

Along with Afridi and Sehwag, the event also includes some other popular names such as Shoaib Akhtar, Mahela Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis, Daniel Vettori, Graeme Smith etc.

&nbsp;

Recently a video got viral where Afridi was telling an Indian fan to hold India's national flag properly while posing for a picture

A few days back, a new form was cricket was invented, Ice Cricket, where the game of cricket was played on a beautiful St Moritz frozen lake amid serene and beautiful Alps in freezing cold temperatures. Virender Sehwag-led Diamonds faced Shahid Afridi-led Royals to play two T20 matches. It was the biggest and best cricket clash, a match when fans got nostalgic after watching former cricket legends padded up one more time. Afridi's team won the series though, 40-year-old Sehwag played exceptionally well in the first match. Recently a video got viral where Afridi was telling an Indian fan to hold India's national flag properly while posing for a picture. Thank u Switzerland ???? A post shared by Shahid Afridi (@safridiofficial) on Feb 9, 2018 at 7:56am PST × Earlier, he hailed Indian skipper Virat Kohli and told PTI, "Virat is a fantastic human being and an ambassador of cricket for his country, just like I am for my country." "Virat is doing a brilliant job. I have no problem with aggression if it is a controlled one. And Virat's character is different from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was a composed individual. Virat's greatest asset is that he can take the team along," Afridi observed. In the first match as the famous rivals were face to face, Sehwag-Afridi-Akhtar, some 'chats' were predicted and same happened during the game but in a cheerful way. When Sehwag was playing, a witty comment was recorded in the stumps mic. In which Sehwag said to Afridi, "tu apni harkato se baaz nhi ayega." Along with Afridi and Sehwag, the event also includes some other popular names such as Shoaib Akhtar, Mahela Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis, Daniel Vettori, Graeme Smith etc.

Watch: After praising Kohli, Afridi tells Indian fan to 'hold national flag properly'

Prevailing cross-border tension may have restricted Indo-Pak bilateral cricketing ties but Shahid Afridi loves to put across a point firmly -- his &quot;cordial relation&quot; with India captain Virat Kohli cannot and will not be defined by political situation.

&quot;My relationship with Virat is not dictated by the political situation. Virat is a fantastic human being and an ambassador of cricket for his country, just like I am for my country,&quot; Afridi told PTI during an interaction on the sidelines of the St Moritz Ice Cricket Tournament.

&quot;He (Kohli) has always shown a lot of respect and has even gone out of his way to present a signed jersey for my foundation (Shahid Afridi Foundation),&quot; he added.

Afridi&#39;s foundation has been working on providing clean and safe drinking water for the economically weaker sections of society.

&quot;There is a lot of warmth and fellow-feeling whenever I have spoken to Virat. It&#39;s not that we get a chance to speak a lot but from time to time, he would drop in a message and I would do the same. I congratulated him recently when I came to know&nbsp;that he was getting married.

&quot;I believe as cricketers we can set examples of how a relationship between individuals can be a template for the relationship between countries.

I think after Pakistan, the two countries where I have received most love and respect are India and Australia,&quot; said the former Pakistan skipper.

For someone, who was a maverick during his international career, Afridi loves Kohli&#39;s aggression and believes that supporting juniors in crisis situations has also helped him in earning respect from youngsters.

&quot;Virat is doing a brilliant job. I have no problem with aggression if it is a controlled one. And Virat&#39;s character is different from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was a composed individual.

&quot;Now suddenly, you cannot change the inherent nature of a person. Virat&#39;s greatest asset is that he can take the team along,&quot; Afridi observed.

Asked to compare Kohli with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Khan, Afridi said: &quot;Sarfraz is still new to the job and he will only get better along the way. The only thing I don&#39;t like is that media running down players during their rough times.

&quot;As long as you are winning, everything is fine and you lose a game and all hell breaks loose. That is grossly unfair. We should not overlook someone&#39;s past achievements just because he is going through a bad patch,&quot; said the cricketer who has been loved and criticised in equal measure.

During a couple of days of Ice Cricket at St Moritz tournament, Afridi at times even beat Virender Sehwag in terms of popularity thanks to the presence of a larger number of expatriate Pakistani fans, who had thronged St Moritz.

The moment he entered the playing area wearing the orange jumper, St Moritz turned into a &#39;Lala Land&#39; as everyone wanted a piece of their beloved &#39;Lala&#39;, as Pakistani fans affectionately call Afridi.

Afridi was a different man at different times.

He autographed the posters, even a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf flag, obliged all the selfie seekers, seemed a tad irritated with multiple one-on-one interview requests, took his wife and youngest daughter out for a walk down the lake and did not even give a second glance at a young Pakistani woman, who in front of everyone shouted &quot;Lala aapse kabhi alag se mil sakti hoon (Can I meet you somewhere else?).&quot;

And yes, he played cricket too and tried to hit out as he would do often during his green jersey days. And the result was more often than not his downfall. It happened the same way but no one cared.

With Shahid Afridi, there are no half measures -- they all love the man more than the player.

&nbsp;

'I believe as cricketers we can set examples of how a relationship between individuals can be a template for the relationship between countries," said Afridi

Prevailing cross-border tension may have restricted Indo-Pak bilateral cricketing ties but Shahid Afridi loves to put across a point firmly -- his "cordial relation" with India captain Virat Kohli cannot and will not be defined by political situation. "My relationship with Virat is not dictated by the political situation. Virat is a fantastic human being and an ambassador of cricket for his country, just like I am for my country," Afridi told PTI during an interaction on the sidelines of the St Moritz Ice Cricket Tournament. "He (Kohli) has always shown a lot of respect and has even gone out of his way to present a signed jersey for my foundation (Shahid Afridi Foundation)," he added. Afridi's foundation has been working on providing clean and safe drinking water for the economically weaker sections of society. "There is a lot of warmth and fellow-feeling whenever I have spoken to Virat. It's not that we get a chance to speak a lot but from time to time, he would drop in a message and I would do the same. I congratulated him recently when I came to know that he was getting married. "I believe as cricketers we can set examples of how a relationship between individuals can be a template for the relationship between countries. I think after Pakistan, the two countries where I have received most love and respect are India and Australia," said the former Pakistan skipper. For someone, who was a maverick during his international career, Afridi loves Kohli's aggression and believes that supporting juniors in crisis situations has also helped him in earning respect from youngsters. "Virat is doing a brilliant job. I have no problem with aggression if it is a controlled one. And Virat's character is different from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was a composed individual. "Now suddenly, you cannot change the inherent nature of a person. Virat's greatest asset is that he can take the team along," Afridi observed. Asked to compare Kohli with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Khan, Afridi said: "Sarfraz is still new to the job and he will only get better along the way. The only thing I don't like is that media running down players during their rough times. "As long as you are winning, everything is fine and you lose a game and all hell breaks loose. That is grossly unfair. We should not overlook someone's past achievements just because he is going through a bad patch," said the cricketer who has been loved and criticised in equal measure. During a couple of days of Ice Cricket at St Moritz tournament, Afridi at times even beat Virender Sehwag in terms of popularity thanks to the presence of a larger number of expatriate Pakistani fans, who had thronged St Moritz. The moment he entered the playing area wearing the orange jumper, St Moritz turned into a 'Lala Land' as everyone wanted a piece of their beloved 'Lala', as Pakistani fans affectionately call Afridi. Afridi was a different man at different times. He autographed the posters, even a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf flag, obliged all the selfie seekers, seemed a tad irritated with multiple one-on-one interview requests, took his wife and youngest daughter out for a walk down the lake and did not even give a second glance at a young Pakistani woman, who in front of everyone shouted "Lala aapse kabhi alag se mil sakti hoon (Can I meet you somewhere else?)." And yes, he played cricket too and tried to hit out as he would do often during his green jersey days. And the result was more often than not his downfall. It happened the same way but no one cared. With Shahid Afridi, there are no half measures -- they all love the man more than the player.

'Virat's greatest asset is that he can take the team along,' says Shahid Afridi

Virender Sehwag-led Diamonds faced Shahid Afridi-led Royals on the Day 1 of two matches T20 series at the serene backdrop of beautiful Alps.

Sehwag played exceptionally well as he scored 62 runs off 31 balls, a quickfire spell which included five sixes and four fours.

Though, 40-year-old Sehwag&#39;s magnificent performance, could not do much as his team lost the game to Afridi-led Royals.

As it was expected, the famous rivals were face to face, Sehwag-Afridi-Akhtar, some &#39;chats&#39; were predicted and same happened during the game but in a cheerful way.

When he was playing, a witty comment was recorded in the stumps mic. In which Sehwag said to Afridi, &quot;tu apni harkato se baaz nhi ayega.&quot;

The match was played on a beautiful St Moritz&nbsp;frozen lake and cricketers from across the globe teamed up and played this unique form of cricket.

Sehwag was full throttle as his knock was appreciated by the fans and spectators. After the match, the Twitter God himself tweeted and shared his experience on Twitter that captioned, &quot;Hathiyar chhode hain ,chalana nahi bhoole hain :) Great fun on the ice.&quot;

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Hathiyar chhode hain ,chalana nahi bhoole hain :) Great fun on the ice. <a href="https://t.co/V1bjFATGnI">pic.twitter.com/V1bjFATGnI</a>
&mdash; Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) <a href="https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/961654178539065351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Shahid Afridi crashed on the ice but hi steam won. He was sent back to the icy pavilion without scoring a single run.

On the other hand, Abdul Razzak was in form as he was able to seam the ball on the artificial pitch and also took some amazing catches.

Playing on the ice is not a cake walk. players were given proper instruction before the match.

The commentator Ramesh Powar and Wasim Akram specifically praised the ground staff because they said that pitch looked good for batting.

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Shahid Afridi after the match-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IceCricketChallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IceCricketChallenge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAfridiOfficial</a> <a href="https://t.co/fZMUTvHrht">pic.twitter.com/fZMUTvHrht</a>
&mdash; Maham???? (@DheetAfridian) <a href="https://twitter.com/DheetAfridian/status/961665445077151744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The second match is scheduled on February 9 on the same pitch.

Here is the complete squad list:

Virender Sehwag&#39;s Diamonds XI:

Virender Sehwag (India), Zaheer Khan (India), Mohammad Kaif (India), Ajit Agarkar (India), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka), Michael Hussey (Australia), Andrew Symonds (Australia), Mithun Manhas (India), Ramesh Powar (India), Rohan Jain (Switzerland),&nbsp;

Shahid Afridi&#39;s Royals XI:

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan), Abdul Razzak (Pakistan), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Nathan McCullum (New Zealand), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Monty Panesar (England), Owais Shah (England), Matt Prior (England), Aidan Andrews (Switzerland)

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Ice cricket... amazing.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/icecricket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#icecricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/pwtpVUny2w">pic.twitter.com/pwtpVUny2w</a>
&mdash; Andrew Menczel ???? (@amenners) <a href="https://twitter.com/amenners/status/961554420499603457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

40-year-old Sehwag's magnificent 62 runs knock could not do much as his team lost the game to Afridi-led Royals

Virender Sehwag-led Diamonds faced Shahid Afridi-led Royals on the Day 1 of two matches T20 series at the serene backdrop of beautiful Alps. Sehwag played exceptionally well as he scored 62 runs off 31 balls, a quickfire spell which included five sixes and four fours. Though, 40-year-old Sehwag's magnificent performance, could not do much as his team lost the game to Afridi-led Royals. As it was expected, the famous rivals were face to face, Sehwag-Afridi-Akhtar, some 'chats' were predicted and same happened during the game but in a cheerful way. When he was playing, a witty comment was recorded in the stumps mic. In which Sehwag said to Afridi, "tu apni harkato se baaz nhi ayega." The match was played on a beautiful St Moritz frozen lake and cricketers from across the globe teamed up and played this unique form of cricket. Sehwag was full throttle as his knock was appreciated by the fans and spectators. After the match, the Twitter God himself tweeted and shared his experience on Twitter that captioned, "Hathiyar chhode hain ,chalana nahi bhoole hain :) Great fun on the ice." Hathiyar chhode hain ,chalana nahi bhoole hain :) Great fun on the ice. pic.twitter.com/V1bjFATGnI — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 8, 2018 × Shahid Afridi crashed on the ice but hi steam won. He was sent back to the icy pavilion without scoring a single run. On the other hand, Abdul Razzak was in form as he was able to seam the ball on the artificial pitch and also took some amazing catches. Playing on the ice is not a cake walk. players were given proper instruction before the match. The commentator Ramesh Powar and Wasim Akram specifically praised the ground staff because they said that pitch looked good for batting. Shahid Afridi after the match-#IceCricketChallenge @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/fZMUTvHrht — Maham???? (@DheetAfridian) February 8, 2018 × The second match is scheduled on February 9 on the same pitch. Here is the complete squad list: Virender Sehwag's Diamonds XI: Virender Sehwag (India), Zaheer Khan (India), Mohammad Kaif (India), Ajit Agarkar (India), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka), Michael Hussey (Australia), Andrew Symonds (Australia), Mithun Manhas (India), Ramesh Powar (India), Rohan Jain (Switzerland), Shahid Afridi's Royals XI: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan), Abdul Razzak (Pakistan), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Nathan McCullum (New Zealand), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Monty Panesar (England), Owais Shah (England), Matt Prior (England), Aidan Andrews (Switzerland) Ice cricket... amazing.. #icecricket pic.twitter.com/pwtpVUny2w — Andrew Menczel ???? (@amenners) February 8, 2018 ×

Here is what Sehwag said to Afridi while playing cricket on ice

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