Sourav Ganguly has joined Indian cricket icons and former captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev in appealing for Pakistan great Imran Khan’s fair treatment inside the jail. Khan, who led Pakistan to its maiden and only 50-over World Cup win in 1992, has been in prison for over 800 days; however, several reports have claimed that he has lost 85% of his vision in his right eye and needs immediate medical care before it worsens. On Tuesday (Feb 17), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sunil-gavaskar-kapil-dev-among-14-legendary-captains-write-to-pakistan-govt-for-fair-treatment-of-imran-khan-in-jail-1771316790694">14 legendary cricket captains from five countries appealed to the Pakistani government</a> to provide the best medical care to Imran Khan, with Ganguly being the latest to voice for it.&nbsp;Although Ganguly hasn’t played against Imran Khan, he admires him like all cricket dignitaries as one of cricket’s most influential figures, while hoping for his recovery. Speaking of the former Pakistan captain, Ganguly acknowledged all that Imran has done, including putting Pakistan on the world map by captaining his team to glory, and later becoming the country's Prime Minister. &nbsp;"I hope his health recovers, and I hope he gets the right treatment. He has taken Pakistan to the world map, being the captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team and then the Prime Minister of Pakistan. I am sure he must be looked after and respected,” Ganguly said of Imran Khan’s health crisis.<h2>Cricket legends come forward to appeal for Imran</h2>After several Pakistani cricket legends, including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and others, raised concerns over Imran Khan’s vision loss reports while sending best wishes through social media posts, 14 former cricket captains, including Australia’s Allan Border and Ian Chappell, Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain from England and two from India – Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, among others, wrote to the Pakistani government, appealing for Imran’s fair treatment inside the jail. &nbsp;"Recent reports concerning his health - particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody - and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern," the letter read. "Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory - a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders. &nbsp;"Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike,” it further read. &nbsp;Meanwhile, besides Ganguly, another former Indian captain, Mohammad Azharuddin, also took to his social media handle to express concern over reports on Imran Khan’s vision loss. &nbsp;“Deeply saddened to hear about Imran bhai. Cricket has given us many shared moments, and as a fellow sportsman who has shared the platform and learned from him, I sincerely appeal that he be treated with dignity. Praying for his good health and strength for his family. @ImranKhanPTI #ImranKhanHealthEmergency,” his X post read.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deeply saddened to hear about Imran bhai. Cricket has given us many shared moments, and as a fellow sportsman who has shared the platform and learned from him, I sincerely appeal that he be treated with dignity. Praying for his good health and strength for his family.…&mdash; Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/azharflicks/status/2023818172366025126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sourav Ganguly joins Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev in a rare show of solidarity for jailed legend Imran Khan. With reports of 85% vision loss, 14 international captains appeal to Pakistan for urgent medical care. Read Ganguly's powerful message for his former rival.

Sourav Ganguly has joined Indian cricket icons and former captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev in appealing for Pakistan great Imran Khan’s fair treatment inside the jail. Khan, who led Pakistan to its maiden and only 50-over World Cup win in 1992, has been in prison for over 800 days; however, several reports have claimed that he has lost 85% of his vision in his right eye and needs immediate medical care before it worsens. On Tuesday (Feb 17), 14 legendary cricket captains from five countries appealed to the Pakistani government to provide the best medical care to Imran Khan, with Ganguly being the latest to voice for it. Although Ganguly hasn’t played against Imran Khan, he admires him like all cricket dignitaries as one of cricket’s most influential figures, while hoping for his recovery. Speaking of the former Pakistan captain, Ganguly acknowledged all that Imran has done, including putting Pakistan on the world map by captaining his team to glory, and later becoming the country's Prime Minister. "I hope his health recovers, and I hope he gets the right treatment. He has taken Pakistan to the world map, being the captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team and then the Prime Minister of Pakistan. I am sure he must be looked after and respected,” Ganguly said of Imran Khan’s health crisis. Cricket legends come forward to appeal for Imran After several Pakistani cricket legends, including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and others, raised concerns over Imran Khan’s vision loss reports while sending best wishes through social media posts, 14 former cricket captains, including Australia’s Allan Border and Ian Chappell, Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain from England and two from India – Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, among others, wrote to the Pakistani government, appealing for Imran’s fair treatment inside the jail. "Recent reports concerning his health - particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody - and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern," the letter read. "Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory - a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders. "Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike,” it further read. Meanwhile, besides Ganguly, another former Indian captain, Mohammad Azharuddin, also took to his social media handle to express concern over reports on Imran Khan’s vision loss. “Deeply saddened to hear about Imran bhai. Cricket has given us many shared moments, and as a fellow sportsman who has shared the platform and learned from him, I sincerely appeal that he be treated with dignity. Praying for his good health and strength for his family. @ImranKhanPTI #ImranKhanHealthEmergency,” his X post read.

Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Azharuddin join former Indian captains to appeal to the Pakistan government for Imran Khan's fair treatment in jail.&nbsp;

‘He must be respected’: Ganguly, Azhar join Indian captains in appeal for Imran Khan's fair treatment

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the top five Indian batters with most ODI runs against New Zealand. This list also includes Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Mohammad Azharuddin

Meet top 5 Indian batters with most ODI runs against New Zealand

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the top five Indian batters with most ODI runs against South Africa. This list also includes Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin

Meet top 5 Indian batters with most ODI runs against South Africa, one active player on list

From Virender Sehwag to Sachin Tendulkar here is a look at five batters with highest individual Test scores for India vs South Africa at Eden Gardens. The list also features the likes of VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni and Mohammad Azharuddin. 

From Virender Sehwag to Sachin Tendulkar, 5 batters with highest individual Test scores for India vs South Africa at Eden Gardens

From Wasim Jaffer to Rahul Dravid here is a look at five Indian batters with highest individual Test score at Eden Gardens. The list has some legendary names including VVS Laxman, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sunil Gavaskar as the latest series against South Africa is set to take centre stage.

From Wasim Jaffer to Rahul Dravid, 5 Indian batters with highest individual Test score at Eden Gardens

From VVS Laxman to Sachin Tendulkar here is a look at five batters with most Test runs at Eden Gardens. The list also features the likes of Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Azharuddin and Dilip Vengsarkar as the latest series between India and South Africa is set to kickoff. 

From VVS Laxman to Sachin Tendulkar, 5 batters with most Test runs at Eden Gardens

From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, here is a look at Indian batters with most ODI runs at single venue. The list also features the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin and Navjot Singh Sidhu. 

From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, Indian batters with most ODI runs at single venue

From Sachin Tendulkar to Yuvraj Singh, here is a list of five Indian batters with the most runs in India vs Pakistan. The list also contains legendary names like Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly. 

From Sachin Tendulkar to Yuvraj Singh, 5 Indian batters with the most runs in India vs Pakistan ODIs

From Virat Kohli to KL Rahul, here is a list of five Indian batters to score fastest ODI hundreds. The list also contains legendary names like Virender Sehwag and Mohammad Azharuddin. 

From Virat Kohli to KL Rahul, 5 Indian batters to score fastest ODI hundreds

Highest Test scores by Indian captains against England in England

Shubman Gill - 269 runs in Birmingham (2025)

Mohammad Azharuddin - 179 runs in Manchester (1990)

Virat Kohli - 149 runs in Birmingham (2018)

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi - 148 runs in Leeds (1967)

Sourav Ganguly 
 - 128 runs in Leeds (2002)

Mohammad Azharuddin
 - 121 runs in Lords (1990)

Virat Kohli - 103 runs in Nottingham (2018)

From Mohammad Azharuddin to Shubman Gill, let's have a look at the list of Indian skippers with highest scores against England in England.  

From Mohammad Azharuddin to Shubman Gill, let's have a look at the list of Indian skippers with the highest scores against England in England.  

7 Batters with Most Runs for India against Pakistan in ODIs

7. Virender Sehwag

6. MS Dhoni

5. Yuvraj Singh

4. Sourav Ganguly

3. Mohammad Azharuddin

2. Rahul Dravid

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sports, Cricket Web Stories: 7 Batters with Most Runs for India against Pakistan in ODIs Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Azharuddin.

Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin on Thursday failed to depose before the ED in a money laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

Mohammad Azharuddin Skips ED Summons in Money-laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin in a money laundering case linked to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). HCA’s former president, Azhar, is accused of misappropriating funds from 2019 to 2022.&nbsp;

The cricketer-turned-politician Azharuddin was required to appear before the ED on Thursday (Oct 4), but he didn’t and sought more time.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/jos-buttler-returns-as-ecb-name-14-man-squad-for-white-ball-tour-of-wi-three-uncapped-players-added-764073">Jos Buttler returns as ECB name 14-man squad for white-ball tour of WI, three uncapped players added</a>

The case is related to Azhar allegedly misspending INR 20 crore allocated for the procurement of diesel generators, fire fighting systems, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. However, this is the first time ED has summoned Azhar, with clear directives for him to appear before the probe agency to clarify his name in this money laundering case.

Meanwhile, the ED began an investigation based on three FIRs registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad, with the corresponding charge sheets filed by the ACB pointing towards criminal misspending of the HCA funds.

The charge sheet also revealed that HCA office bearers, including its then secretary, president, vice-president and others, in fusion with private parties, arbitrarily got various tenders allotted to preferred contractors at higher market rates.&nbsp;

It further stated that those involved went ahead without following proper tender processes, while the advance payments were also made to many without the work being done.

<h2>Azhar’s dark history</h2>

The BCCI banned Mohammad Azharuddin for life for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal during the dawn of the new millennium that rocked Indian cricket. In November 2000, Azhar - the then-Indian captain, admitted his involvement in the wrongdoings, emerging as a ‘key man in the group of Test captains’ who were being investigated.&nbsp;

Alongside him, the BCCI punished several others, including star all-rounder Ajay Jadeja and seamer Manoj Prabhakar.&nbsp;

Although he remained out of Indian cricket since the HCA appointed him as the president in 2019. That year, the BCCI also offered him a chance to be part of the former cricketers honoured with a lap around the ground during the pink-ball Test against Bangladesh in 2019.&nbsp;

The Hyderabad Cricket Stadium also has a stand named after him.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin in a money laundering case linked to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin in a money laundering case linked to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). HCA’s former president, Azhar, is accused of misappropriating funds from 2019 to 2022. The cricketer-turned-politician Azharuddin was required to appear before the ED on Thursday (Oct 4), but he didn’t and sought more time. ALSO READ: Jos Buttler returns as ECB name 14-man squad for white-ball tour of WI, three uncapped players added The case is related to Azhar allegedly misspending INR 20 crore allocated for the procurement of diesel generators, fire fighting systems, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. However, this is the first time ED has summoned Azhar, with clear directives for him to appear before the probe agency to clarify his name in this money laundering case. Meanwhile, the ED began an investigation based on three FIRs registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad, with the corresponding charge sheets filed by the ACB pointing towards criminal misspending of the HCA funds. The charge sheet also revealed that HCA office bearers, including its then secretary, president, vice-president and others, in fusion with private parties, arbitrarily got various tenders allotted to preferred contractors at higher market rates. It further stated that those involved went ahead without following proper tender processes, while the advance payments were also made to many without the work being done. Azhar’s dark history The BCCI banned Mohammad Azharuddin for life for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal during the dawn of the new millennium that rocked Indian cricket. In November 2000, Azhar - the then-Indian captain, admitted his involvement in the wrongdoings, emerging as a ‘key man in the group of Test captains’ who were being investigated. Alongside him, the BCCI punished several others, including star all-rounder Ajay Jadeja and seamer Manoj Prabhakar. Although he remained out of Indian cricket since the HCA appointed him as the president in 2019. That year, the BCCI also offered him a chance to be part of the former cricketers honoured with a lap around the ground during the pink-ball Test against Bangladesh in 2019. The Hyderabad Cricket Stadium also has a stand named after him. (With inputs from agencies)

ED summons former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin in money laundering case

Pakistan men’s team new chief selector Wahab Riaz cited examples of former India cricketers Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja while announcing Salman Butt’s exclusion from the advisory panel on Saturday.&nbsp;

Azhar and Jadeja, two former star players found guilty in match-fixing episodes during the 2000s, hold respective positions in Indian cricket and outside of it. On the other hand, Butt, another tainted cricketer, was sacked right away.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Friday, announced a three-member consulting committee to assist the chief selector, with Butt and two former stars – Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar named on the list.&nbsp;

Shortly after Butt’s official announcement went public, unrest started to grow within the board, with several reports suggesting that even one employee threatened to resign if PCB decided against revoking their decision.

With an uproar taking centrestage over Butt’s appointment, the PCB&nbsp;withdrew Butt’s name from the list on the next day.

Riaz, who broke this news to the media, slammed a few media houses for running propaganda over the same, citing examples of how tainted stars across the border are respected while holding top positions in the cricket circuit.&nbsp;

Riaz, Butt’s close friend, was said to have favoured the former opener into getting an official role within the board for the first time since his ban was lifted (in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal).

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chief-selector-george-bailey-hits-back-at-johnson-for-uncomfortable-remarks-against-david-warner-665740">Chief selector George Bailey hits back at Johnson for ‘uncomfortable remarks’ against David Warner</a>

“There is no pressure on me. I had made a decision, and I am revoking it. In India, we have examples of Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja,” Riaz told reporters.

“They are working in cricket now, and there is no fuss. Azharuddin is president of one of the cricket associations, and Jadeja was Afghanistan’s batting consultant in the World Cup.”

“People were talking all sorts of stuff about me and Salman Butt. Therefore, I am reversing the decision, I have already spoken to Salman Butt, and I have told him that he cannot be part of my team. Some media houses and people are resorting to this propaganda,” Riaz added.

<h2>PM intervened in Butt’s selection episode</h2>

Considered one of the better openers from this part of the world, Butt brought a bad name to Pakistan for leading a spot-fixing scandal during the 2010 Lord’s Test involving Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

As things got intense within the board, Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar had to intervene in the matter, releasing a statement that read,&nbsp;“The caretaker PM took strict notice of the controversial player Salman Butt’s appointment to the selection committee. This controversial appointment was immediately cancelled on the instructions of the Prime Minister. There is no shortage of talent in Pakistan, the selection committee of players for a popular and favourite sport like cricket should also be uncontroversial. The PM directed to include undisputed and good reputation selectors in the selection committee of Pakistan Cricket Board.”

Pakistan men’s team new chief selector Wahab Riaz cited examples of former India cricketers Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja while announcing Salman Butt’s exclusion from the advisory panel on Saturday.

Pakistan men’s team new chief selector Wahab Riaz cited examples of former India cricketers Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja while announcing Salman Butt’s exclusion from the advisory panel on Saturday. Azhar and Jadeja, two former star players found guilty in match-fixing episodes during the 2000s, hold respective positions in Indian cricket and outside of it. On the other hand, Butt, another tainted cricketer, was sacked right away. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Friday, announced a three-member consulting committee to assist the chief selector, with Butt and two former stars – Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar named on the list. Shortly after Butt’s official announcement went public, unrest started to grow within the board, with several reports suggesting that even one employee threatened to resign if PCB decided against revoking their decision. With an uproar taking centrestage over Butt’s appointment, the PCB withdrew Butt’s name from the list on the next day. Riaz, who broke this news to the media, slammed a few media houses for running propaganda over the same, citing examples of how tainted stars across the border are respected while holding top positions in the cricket circuit. Riaz, Butt’s close friend, was said to have favoured the former opener into getting an official role within the board for the first time since his ban was lifted (in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal). ALSO READ: Chief selector George Bailey hits back at Johnson for ‘uncomfortable remarks’ against David Warner “There is no pressure on me. I had made a decision, and I am revoking it. In India, we have examples of Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja,” Riaz told reporters. “They are working in cricket now, and there is no fuss. Azharuddin is president of one of the cricket associations, and Jadeja was Afghanistan’s batting consultant in the World Cup.” “People were talking all sorts of stuff about me and Salman Butt. Therefore, I am reversing the decision, I have already spoken to Salman Butt, and I have told him that he cannot be part of my team. Some media houses and people are resorting to this propaganda,” Riaz added. PM intervened in Butt’s selection episode Considered one of the better openers from this part of the world, Butt brought a bad name to Pakistan for leading a spot-fixing scandal during the 2010 Lord’s Test involving Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. As things got intense within the board, Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar had to intervene in the matter, releasing a statement that read, “The caretaker PM took strict notice of the controversial player Salman Butt’s appointment to the selection committee. This controversial appointment was immediately cancelled on the instructions of the Prime Minister. There is no shortage of talent in Pakistan, the selection committee of players for a popular and favourite sport like cricket should also be uncontroversial. The PM directed to include undisputed and good reputation selectors in the selection committee of Pakistan Cricket Board.”

Wahab Riaz cites examples of Azharuddin, Jadeja after Salman Butt’s exclusion from advisory panel

CWC '23: From Sourav Ganguly to Md Azharuddin! Indian captains with most sixes in an ODI World Cup

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India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first ODI, in Guwahati, to go 1-0 up in the three-match series on Tuesday (January 10). Ahead of the second and penultimate ODI, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has slammed KL Rahul for not being consistent and finding different ways to get out.

In the ODI series opener, India rode on skipper Rohit Sharma's 83, Shubman Gill's 70 and Virat Kohli's 113 not out to post 373/7. Later, India defended the total by restricting Sri Lanka to 306 for 8, to win by 67 runs. Talking about Rahul, he donned the wicketkeeping gloves and made a 29-ball 39. Just when he was looking set, he departed after being cleaned up by pacer&nbsp;Kasun Rajitha.

Thus, Azhar told PTI, "I think Rahul is getting out in a lot of manners. Primarily, it is not the good balls that are getting him out. It is poor shot selection first up that is causing problems," said Azhar, who further added that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper should work with the coaches to rectify his batting flaws.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-afghanistan-odi-series-called-off-by-ca-following-talibans-stance-on-women-551763">Australia-Afghanistan ODI series called off by CA following Taliban's stance on women</a>

"I think consistency is the problem in KL Rahul's case. But I think there are coaches who should rectify his flaws. In my opinion, he is a good player but consistency is missing in his game," Azharuddin was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Rahul, the former vice-captain, will need to pull up his socks given Ishan Kishan -- who scored a double ton in his last ODI -- is waiting in the wings. The stylish right-hander will be hungry for some big knocks in the remaining SL ODIs.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first ODI, in Guwahati, to go 1-0 up in the three-match series on Tuesday (January 10). Ahead of the second and penultimate ODI, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has slammed KL Rahul for not being consistent and finding different ways to get out.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first ODI, in Guwahati, to go 1-0 up in the three-match series on Tuesday (January 10). Ahead of the second and penultimate ODI, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has slammed KL Rahul for not being consistent and finding different ways to get out. In the ODI series opener, India rode on skipper Rohit Sharma's 83, Shubman Gill's 70 and Virat Kohli's 113 not out to post 373/7. Later, India defended the total by restricting Sri Lanka to 306 for 8, to win by 67 runs. Talking about Rahul, he donned the wicketkeeping gloves and made a 29-ball 39. Just when he was looking set, he departed after being cleaned up by pacer Kasun Rajitha. Thus, Azhar told PTI, "I think Rahul is getting out in a lot of manners. Primarily, it is not the good balls that are getting him out. It is poor shot selection first up that is causing problems," said Azhar, who further added that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper should work with the coaches to rectify his batting flaws. Also read: Australia-Afghanistan ODI series called off by CA following Taliban's stance on women "I think consistency is the problem in KL Rahul's case. But I think there are coaches who should rectify his flaws. In my opinion, he is a good player but consistency is missing in his game," Azharuddin was quoted as saying by the news agency. Rahul, the former vice-captain, will need to pull up his socks given Ishan Kishan -- who scored a double ton in his last ODI -- is waiting in the wings. The stylish right-hander will be hungry for some big knocks in the remaining SL ODIs.

'Poor shot selection is causing problems': Azhar slams India batter for 'getting out in a lot of manners'

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin slammed the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's cricket team after their defeat against Australia in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday (August 07). The Indian women's team lost the final against Australia by 9 runs after failing to chase down the target of 162 runs in 20 overs.

India got off to a poor start in the summit clash as they lost both their openers Smriti Mandhana (6) and Shafali Verma (11) cheaply to be reeling at 22/2 inside the first three overs. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then joined forces in the middle to help the Women in Blue fight back with a 96-run stand for the second wicket.

While Harmanpreet slammed a brilliant 65 off 43 balls, Rodrigues scored a run-a-ball 33. While it seemed the duo would take India home comfortably, they ended up throwing away their wickets in quick succession as India lost the plot towards the end to eventually fall short in the run chase.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/big-stage-fright-gets-to-india-again-as-they-lose-to-australia-in-cwg-2022-final-to-settle-for-silver-504684">Big stage fright gets to India again as they lose to Australia in CWG 2022 final to settle for silver</a>

Former India skipper Azharuddin took to Twitter to lash out at Harmanpreet &amp; Co. for their poor show in the final. Azharuddin called India's batting 'rubbish' and slammed them for throwing away a game they could have easily won. "Rubbish batting by the Indian team. No common sense. Gave away a winning game on a platter," he wrote in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rubbish batting by the Indian team. No common sense. Gave away a winning game on a platter. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvsAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvsAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensCricket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomensCricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWG22</a>
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/azharflicks/status/1556357754302140416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-champion-nikhat-zareen-beats-carly-mcnaul-to-win-her-maiden-gold-medal-at-cwg-2022-504598">World champion Nikhat Zareen beats Carly McNaul to win her maiden gold medal at CWG</a>

Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he finished with excellent figures of 3/16 off her three overs and picked up the important wickets of Verma, Harmanpreet and Pooja Vastrakar to break the back of the Indian batting line-up.

With the thrilling win, Australia clinched their maiden gold medal in women's cricket in the Commonwealth Games as India faltered once again on the big stage to settle with silver.

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin slammed the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's cricket team after their defeat against Australia in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday (August 07).

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin slammed the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's cricket team after their defeat against Australia in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday (August 07). The Indian women's team lost the final against Australia by 9 runs after failing to chase down the target of 162 runs in 20 overs. India got off to a poor start in the summit clash as they lost both their openers Smriti Mandhana (6) and Shafali Verma (11) cheaply to be reeling at 22/2 inside the first three overs. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then joined forces in the middle to help the Women in Blue fight back with a 96-run stand for the second wicket. While Harmanpreet slammed a brilliant 65 off 43 balls, Rodrigues scored a run-a-ball 33. While it seemed the duo would take India home comfortably, they ended up throwing away their wickets in quick succession as India lost the plot towards the end to eventually fall short in the run chase. Also Read: Big stage fright gets to India again as they lose to Australia in CWG 2022 final to settle for silver Former India skipper Azharuddin took to Twitter to lash out at Harmanpreet & Co. for their poor show in the final. Azharuddin called India's batting 'rubbish' and slammed them for throwing away a game they could have easily won. "Rubbish batting by the Indian team. No common sense. Gave away a winning game on a platter," he wrote in a tweet. Rubbish batting by the Indian team. No common sense. Gave away a winning game on a platter. #INDvsAUS #WomensCricket #CWG22 — Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) August 7, 2022 × Also Read: World champion Nikhat Zareen beats Carly McNaul to win her maiden gold medal at CWG Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he finished with excellent figures of 3/16 off her three overs and picked up the important wickets of Verma, Harmanpreet and Pooja Vastrakar to break the back of the Indian batting line-up. With the thrilling win, Australia clinched their maiden gold medal in women's cricket in the Commonwealth Games as India faltered once again on the big stage to settle with silver.

Rubbish batting, no common sense: Mohammad Azharuddin slams India after CWG final defeat against Australia

Former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly is regarded as one of the most successful captains to have led the national team. Ganguly took over the reins of Team India in the aftermath of the match-fixing controversy which had led to the ouster of former captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Ganguly went on to make India a force to reckon with under his leadership and gave the country a number of match-winners in the form of the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag among others.

Ganguly managed to instil fighting spirit in the Indian team after taking over as captain and helped the team win some memorable matches both at home and overseas. India also became a great touring side under his leadership and went on to prove its mettle across different conditions.

While Ganguly had become one of the key members of the Indian team across formats himself when he took over as captain, he had a number of senior players to work with in&nbsp;his side during his stint as captain. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid were some of the big names in the Indian squad back then.

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Recalling his days as captain of the Indian side, Ganguly explained the difference between being a captain and being a leader. Speaking at the Economic Times India Leadership Council, the current Board of for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief said captaincy to him was leading a team on the pitch while leadership was building a team both on and off the ground.

“There is a difference between being a captain and a leader, in a titular position as a captain, how did you make the seniors, and the youngsters believe in your leadership. Captaincy, to me, is leading a team on the ground, and leadership, to me, is building a team. So, whether I worked with Sachin, Azhar, or Dravid, I didn't compete with them; instead, I collaborated with them as leaders and shared responsibility," said Ganguly.

India achieved numerous feats under Ganguly's captaincy, including the famous Natwest Triumph in 2022 and reaching the final of the ICC ODI World Cup in 2003. India also won the Champions Trophy under Ganguly in 2002.

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Ganguly said there was no dearth of talent in the side when he was the captain but it was important to give the players a fair amount of exposure to showcase their skills. He further stated that for him the career of his teammates were equally valuable as his own as he knew what it took to play for the country.

"But talent without exposure is nothing. I had some great players under me who could have gone on to become captain at any time, and I was fortunate enough to meet those great players, so I saw it not only as an honour but also as an opportunity to change things, to make it an even platform for everyone to express themselves," said the current BCCI chief.

"When you select an individual, you firstly selected them based on their abilities, and second, you selected them to succeed. And for me, their career was as important as mine because I know what it took to get here, to represent India,” he added.

Former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly is regarded as one of the most successful captains to have led the national team. Ganguly took over the reins of Team India in the aftermath of the match-fixing controversy which had led to the ouster of former captain Mohammad Azharuddin.

Former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly is regarded as one of the most successful captains to have led the national team. Ganguly took over the reins of Team India in the aftermath of the match-fixing controversy which had led to the ouster of former captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Ganguly went on to make India a force to reckon with under his leadership and gave the country a number of match-winners in the form of the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag among others. Ganguly managed to instil fighting spirit in the Indian team after taking over as captain and helped the team win some memorable matches both at home and overseas. India also became a great touring side under his leadership and went on to prove its mettle across different conditions. While Ganguly had become one of the key members of the Indian team across formats himself when he took over as captain, he had a number of senior players to work with in his side during his stint as captain. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid were some of the big names in the Indian squad back then. Also Read: IPL media rights auction: Everything you need to know about date, time, bidders, base price Recalling his days as captain of the Indian side, Ganguly explained the difference between being a captain and being a leader. Speaking at the Economic Times India Leadership Council, the current Board of for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief said captaincy to him was leading a team on the pitch while leadership was building a team both on and off the ground. “There is a difference between being a captain and a leader, in a titular position as a captain, how did you make the seniors, and the youngsters believe in your leadership. Captaincy, to me, is leading a team on the ground, and leadership, to me, is building a team. So, whether I worked with Sachin, Azhar, or Dravid, I didn't compete with them; instead, I collaborated with them as leaders and shared responsibility," said Ganguly. India achieved numerous feats under Ganguly's captaincy, including the famous Natwest Triumph in 2022 and reaching the final of the ICC ODI World Cup in 2003. India also won the Champions Trophy under Ganguly in 2002. Also Read: Sri Lanka shatter world record as Dasun Shanaka helps them pull off epic run-chase against Australia Ganguly said there was no dearth of talent in the side when he was the captain but it was important to give the players a fair amount of exposure to showcase their skills. He further stated that for him the career of his teammates were equally valuable as his own as he knew what it took to play for the country. "But talent without exposure is nothing. I had some great players under me who could have gone on to become captain at any time, and I was fortunate enough to meet those great players, so I saw it not only as an honour but also as an opportunity to change things, to make it an even platform for everyone to express themselves," said the current BCCI chief. "When you select an individual, you firstly selected them based on their abilities, and second, you selected them to succeed. And for me, their career was as important as mine because I know what it took to get here, to represent India,” he added.

'I didn't compete with Sachin, Dravid': Sourav Ganguly on difference between being a captain and a leader

Indian batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara reached his second double-century since joining Sussex, to give the hosts a superb chance to secure their first win of the season in the County Championship. 
 
However, in the final half of the day on Saturday, an unbroken opening stand of 169 between Alex Lees and Sean Dickson gave Durham a chance of saving the match, after they had conceded a first-innings lead of 315. 
 
Dickson completed his century just before the close, off 137 balls, while Lees finished with 50 not out, according to sussexcricket.co.uk. Earlier, Sussex had continued to dominate their fixture against one of the favourites for promotion as their overseas stars Pujara and Mohammad Rizwan put on 154 for the sixth wicket. 
 
Pujara scored 203, his second double century in three matches, while Rizwan found his form on his home debut with an innings of 79 as Sussex piled on 538. There are enough cracks on the pitch to encourage the Sussex spinners on the final day. But Durham, who are 146 runs behind, have a good chance of a fighting draw on what is still a good surface. 
 
In the first session on Saturday, Sussex scored 128 runs without losing a wicket. The game changed dramatically after lunch, when Sussex lost five wickets for 34 runs in nine overs as left-armer Liam Trevaskis followed his 88 runs with figures of 5/128. That still gave Sussex a huge first-innings advantage. But the Durham openers batted superbly in the final session to give their side hope.

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The day started with Sussex on 362 for five, with Pujara 128 not out and Rizwan unbeaten on five. The Indian batting stalwart rocked onto the back foot and punched the first ball of the morning for four. He scored just eight runs in the opening 45 minutes, and it was Rizwan who was the more aggressive of the two batters, scoring 36 by the time the pair had put on fifty. 
 
At lunch, Sussex had reached 490/5, a lead of 267, with Pujara 186 and Rizwan 74. The 150 partnerships, which coincided with the side reaching 500, came off 149 balls. But four runs later Rizwan was brilliantly caught at deep square-leg. Delray Rawlins, then got off the mark with a slogged six over midwicket but, pulling, was bowled for 12. Two overs later Pujara, venturing down the wicket to Trevaskis, was stumped. He faced 334 balls and struck 24 fours. 
 
Pujara added 99 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Tom Alsop, 143 runs for the fifth wicket with Tom Clark and a terrific 154-run partnership alongside Rizwan for the next wicket during his marathon knock.

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His knock came to an end after lasting at the crease for a whopping 118 overs when he was stumped off the last ball of the 152nd over of the innings. 
 
Pujara has returned scores of 6, 201 not out, 109 and 203 in the four innings that he has played so far. With his latest feat, Pujara equalled a 28-year-old record as he became the second Indian after former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin to make two double hundreds in the English County Championship. This was also Pujara`s 15th double hundred in his First-class career.

Indian batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara reached his second double-century since joining Sussex, to give the hosts a superb chance to secure their first win of the season in the County Championship.

Indian batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara reached his second double-century since joining Sussex, to give the hosts a superb chance to secure their first win of the season in the County Championship. However, in the final half of the day on Saturday, an unbroken opening stand of 169 between Alex Lees and Sean Dickson gave Durham a chance of saving the match, after they had conceded a first-innings lead of 315. Dickson completed his century just before the close, off 137 balls, while Lees finished with 50 not out, according to sussexcricket.co.uk. Earlier, Sussex had continued to dominate their fixture against one of the favourites for promotion as their overseas stars Pujara and Mohammad Rizwan put on 154 for the sixth wicket. Pujara scored 203, his second double century in three matches, while Rizwan found his form on his home debut with an innings of 79 as Sussex piled on 538. There are enough cracks on the pitch to encourage the Sussex spinners on the final day. But Durham, who are 146 runs behind, have a good chance of a fighting draw on what is still a good surface. In the first session on Saturday, Sussex scored 128 runs without losing a wicket. The game changed dramatically after lunch, when Sussex lost five wickets for 34 runs in nine overs as left-armer Liam Trevaskis followed his 88 runs with figures of 5/128. That still gave Sussex a huge first-innings advantage. But the Durham openers batted superbly in the final session to give their side hope. Also Read: NFL duo Larry Fitzgerald, Kelvin Beachum and NBA star Chris Paul invest in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals The day started with Sussex on 362 for five, with Pujara 128 not out and Rizwan unbeaten on five. The Indian batting stalwart rocked onto the back foot and punched the first ball of the morning for four. He scored just eight runs in the opening 45 minutes, and it was Rizwan who was the more aggressive of the two batters, scoring 36 by the time the pair had put on fifty. At lunch, Sussex had reached 490/5, a lead of 267, with Pujara 186 and Rizwan 74. The 150 partnerships, which coincided with the side reaching 500, came off 149 balls. But four runs later Rizwan was brilliantly caught at deep square-leg. Delray Rawlins, then got off the mark with a slogged six over midwicket but, pulling, was bowled for 12. Two overs later Pujara, venturing down the wicket to Trevaskis, was stumped. He faced 334 balls and struck 24 fours. Pujara added 99 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Tom Alsop, 143 runs for the fifth wicket with Tom Clark and a terrific 154-run partnership alongside Rizwan for the next wicket during his marathon knock. Also Read: 'We do not interfere': CSK CEO reveals who took the decision to hand over captaincy back to MS Dhoni His knock came to an end after lasting at the crease for a whopping 118 overs when he was stumped off the last ball of the 152nd over of the innings. Pujara has returned scores of 6, 201 not out, 109 and 203 in the four innings that he has played so far. With his latest feat, Pujara equalled a 28-year-old record as he became the second Indian after former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin to make two double hundreds in the English County Championship. This was also Pujara`s 15th double hundred in his First-class career.

Cheteshwar Pujara becomes 2nd Indian after Azhar to slam two double hundreds in county cricket

India to play 1000th ODI: From Kapil, Dhoni to Ganguly - Captains who led Men in Blue in historic ties

The search for Virat Kohli's successor as India's next Test captain has already commenced after the latter's shocking announcement last week. Kohli stepped down as the captain of the Indian Test team last week after the visitors lost 2-1 in the recently-concluded three-match Test series against South Africa.

Kohli had earlier stepped down as India's T20I captain last year before being replaced by Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain of the team. After losing white-ball captaincy, Kohli decided to give up the leadership position in Tests as well and will continue playing as a batter for India going forward across all three formats of the game.

Rohit, who is India's present white-ball captain is one of the favourites to take over as the new skipper in Tests while the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah have also been backed by many to replace Kohli. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin also shared his views on the debate and backed Rohit to replace Kohli.

When asked to name his captaincy choice in the longest format, Azharuddin said he would not look too far ahead and would give the opportunity to Rohit to lead the team as he is going to be around for the next 2-3 years at least. Rohit is currently 34 and has a lot of cricket left in himself.

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Azharuddin also pointed out that the Test captaincy cannot be handed to an inexperienced youngster as it might not be the ideal move. While he backed Rohit, Azharuddin insisted Rohit will have to ensure he is able to up his fitness levels and manage his frequent injuries.

"I feel seeing 5-6 years ahead is a long time. You should definitely look forward but need to see immediate as well. Just to look forward, you cannot give to an inexperienced player, which might cause a problem," Azharuddin said during a discussion on India News.

"I feel Rohit Sharma is a good player and can be a very good captain. He might play cricket for another two or three years, he might play more as well but his fitness will be very important because his hamstring becomes weak repeatedly," added the former India captain.

&nbsp;

The search for Virat Kohli's successor as India's next Test captain has already commenced after the latter's shocking announcement last week. Kohli stepped down as the captain of the Indian Test team last week after the visitors lost 2-1 in the recently-concluded three-match Test series against South Africa.

The search for Virat Kohli's successor as India's next Test captain has already commenced after the latter's shocking announcement last week. Kohli stepped down as the captain of the Indian Test team last week after the visitors lost 2-1 in the recently-concluded three-match Test series against South Africa. Kohli had earlier stepped down as India's T20I captain last year before being replaced by Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain of the team. After losing white-ball captaincy, Kohli decided to give up the leadership position in Tests as well and will continue playing as a batter for India going forward across all three formats of the game. Rohit, who is India's present white-ball captain is one of the favourites to take over as the new skipper in Tests while the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah have also been backed by many to replace Kohli. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin also shared his views on the debate and backed Rohit to replace Kohli. When asked to name his captaincy choice in the longest format, Azharuddin said he would not look too far ahead and would give the opportunity to Rohit to lead the team as he is going to be around for the next 2-3 years at least. Rohit is currently 34 and has a lot of cricket left in himself. Also Read: 'I broke down': When Virat Kohli revealed he cried after MS Dhoni's Test retirement in 2014 Azharuddin also pointed out that the Test captaincy cannot be handed to an inexperienced youngster as it might not be the ideal move. While he backed Rohit, Azharuddin insisted Rohit will have to ensure he is able to up his fitness levels and manage his frequent injuries. "I feel seeing 5-6 years ahead is a long time. You should definitely look forward but need to see immediate as well. Just to look forward, you cannot give to an inexperienced player, which might cause a problem," Azharuddin said during a discussion on India News. "I feel Rohit Sharma is a good player and can be a very good captain. He might play cricket for another two or three years, he might play more as well but his fitness will be very important because his hamstring becomes weak repeatedly," added the former India captain.

'Seeing 5-6 years ahead is long time': Md. Azharuddin names Virat Kohli's replacement as India's Test captain

On Monday (January 3), Indian cricket loyalists were in for a shock when they saw KL Rahul walk out for the coin toss for the second Test between India and South Africa, at The Wanderers, Johannesburg. Regular captain Virat Kohli -- who was set to appear in his 99th Test -- missed out due to upper back spasm and Rahul (who was promoted as the vice-captain in Rohit Sharma's absence for the series) took charge of the side.

Winning the toss, Rahul-led India opted to bat first at The Wanderers, J'burg. While the national side started well, at 36 for no loss, they were soon reduced to 49-3. From thereon, it was hardwork for in-form opener Rahul to get to his 13th half-century amid regular fall of wickets. Rahul eventually fell to Marco Jansen's well-executed short-pitched delivery for a well-made 133-ball 50.

Courtesy his knock, the 29-year-old Rahul entered an elite list -- featuring the likes of Kohli, Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, etc. -- to have scored 50 or more runs on captaincy debut. For the unversed,&nbsp;Vijay Hazare, who scored an unbeaten 164 in 1951, tops the list, followed by Sunil Gavaskar (116 runs) and Virat Kohli (115) on the second and third position respectively.&nbsp;Sourav Ganguly (84 runs), Chandu Borde (69), Hemu Adhikari (63) and Nari Contractor are also part of this unique club.

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Meanwhile, Rahul became the fifth Indian captain to surpass the 50-run mark while opening the innings. Little Master Gavaskar (25 times), Contractor (4 times), current head coach Rahul Dravid (2) and Virender Sehwag (2) are also part of the elusive panel.&nbsp;

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Following Rahul's 50, Ashwin's 46 and some contributions from Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah took the team total to 202 all-out in the final session on Day 1 of the second Test.&nbsp;

On Monday (January 3), Indian cricket loyalists were in for a shock when they saw KL Rahul walk out for the coin toss for the second Test between India and South Africa, at The Wanderers, Johannesburg.

On Monday (January 3), Indian cricket loyalists were in for a shock when they saw KL Rahul walk out for the coin toss for the second Test between India and South Africa, at The Wanderers, Johannesburg. Regular captain Virat Kohli -- who was set to appear in his 99th Test -- missed out due to upper back spasm and Rahul (who was promoted as the vice-captain in Rohit Sharma's absence for the series) took charge of the side. Winning the toss, Rahul-led India opted to bat first at The Wanderers, J'burg. While the national side started well, at 36 for no loss, they were soon reduced to 49-3. From thereon, it was hardwork for in-form opener Rahul to get to his 13th half-century amid regular fall of wickets. Rahul eventually fell to Marco Jansen's well-executed short-pitched delivery for a well-made 133-ball 50. Courtesy his knock, the 29-year-old Rahul entered an elite list -- featuring the likes of Kohli, Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, etc. -- to have scored 50 or more runs on captaincy debut. For the unversed, Vijay Hazare, who scored an unbeaten 164 in 1951, tops the list, followed by Sunil Gavaskar (116 runs) and Virat Kohli (115) on the second and third position respectively. Sourav Ganguly (84 runs), Chandu Borde (69), Hemu Adhikari (63) and Nari Contractor are also part of this unique club. ALSO READ | 'Test without him is soulless' - Twitterati reacts as Virat Kohli misses India vs SA 2nd Test in J'burg Meanwhile, Rahul became the fifth Indian captain to surpass the 50-run mark while opening the innings. Little Master Gavaskar (25 times), Contractor (4 times), current head coach Rahul Dravid (2) and Virender Sehwag (2) are also part of the elusive panel. ALSO READ | 'This is the type of person you want...': Ex-Pak skipper all praise for Rahul Dravid for backing Virat Kohli Following Rahul's 50, Ashwin's 46 and some contributions from Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah took the team total to 202 all-out in the final session on Day 1 of the second Test.

Ind vs SA, 2nd Test: Rahul joins elite list comprising Virat Kohli and Ganguly after 50 on captaincy debut

Virat Kohli-led Team India ended Day 1 of the Centurion Test versus South Africa being at the driver's seat. Riding on KL Rahul's 122 not out and fifty from Mayank Agarwal, India ended the day's play at 272 for the loss of 3 wickets. While Kohli looked good for his 94-ball 35, he once again missed out on a century as he failed to even cross the 50-run mark.&nbsp;

As the 33-year-old Kohli still remains away from his 71st international ton, he surpassed former Indian captain Mohammad Azhaurddin to top a unique list. Winning the toss at SuperSport Park, Centurion, Kohli&nbsp;achieved a huge milestone as he became the Indian captain with the most toss wins in Test cricket. Before the start of the first Test in South Africa, Kohli was at the top with Azharuddin but now has gone past him.&nbsp;

For the unversed, Kohli now has won 30 tosses as captain in the purest format of the game. He already is the most successful Indian Test captain, with 39 victories in 66 Tests. On the other hand, MS Dhoni follows suit at the second spot with 27 wins under his belt.&nbsp;

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Talking about the opening day's play, Rahul-Mayank's 117-run opening stand took India to a fine start. While the visitors were soon reduced to 117 for 2, Kohli-Rahul steadied the ship with a fine 82-run stand for the third-wicket before the Indian captain's departure. Rahane and newly-appointed vice-captain KL Rahul (in Rohit Sharma's absence) took India to 272 for 3 at stumps on the first day on December 26 (Sunday).&nbsp;

The second day's play, on Monday (December 27), has been affected due to rain showers with the entire first session being washed out.

Virat Kohli-led Team India ended Day 1 of the Centurion Test versus South Africa being at the driver's seat. Riding on KL Rahul's 122 not out and fifty from Mayank Agarwal, India ended the day's play at 272 for the loss of 3 wickets.

Virat Kohli-led Team India ended Day 1 of the Centurion Test versus South Africa being at the driver's seat. Riding on KL Rahul's 122 not out and fifty from Mayank Agarwal, India ended the day's play at 272 for the loss of 3 wickets. While Kohli looked good for his 94-ball 35, he once again missed out on a century as he failed to even cross the 50-run mark. As the 33-year-old Kohli still remains away from his 71st international ton, he surpassed former Indian captain Mohammad Azhaurddin to top a unique list. Winning the toss at SuperSport Park, Centurion, Kohli achieved a huge milestone as he became the Indian captain with the most toss wins in Test cricket. Before the start of the first Test in South Africa, Kohli was at the top with Azharuddin but now has gone past him. For the unversed, Kohli now has won 30 tosses as captain in the purest format of the game. He already is the most successful Indian Test captain, with 39 victories in 66 Tests. On the other hand, MS Dhoni follows suit at the second spot with 27 wins under his belt. ALSO READ | I want to say something to the boys: Shastri recalls Dhoni's Test retirement and how it shocked Team India Talking about the opening day's play, Rahul-Mayank's 117-run opening stand took India to a fine start. While the visitors were soon reduced to 117 for 2, Kohli-Rahul steadied the ship with a fine 82-run stand for the third-wicket before the Indian captain's departure. Rahane and newly-appointed vice-captain KL Rahul (in Rohit Sharma's absence) took India to 272 for 3 at stumps on the first day on December 26 (Sunday). The second day's play, on Monday (December 27), has been affected due to rain showers with the entire first session being washed out.

India vs SA: Virat Kohli goes past Mohammad Azharuddin in unique list in Centurion Test opening day

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