Virat Kohli Tops Sportsperson Taxpayers List with Rs 66 Crore Contribution

Virat Kohli Tops Sportsperson Taxpayers List with Rs 66 Crore Contribution

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has emerged as the highest taxpayer among sportspersons in India for the financial year 2023-24. According to a report by Fortune India, Kohli paid a staggering Rs 66 crore in taxes, surpassing the likes of MS Dhoni (Rs 38 crore) and Sachin Tendulkar (Rs 28 crore).

Kohli’s remarkable tax contribution reflects his immense earnings and popularity. He is one of the most marketable athletes in the world, with endorsement deals from major brands such as Puma, Audi, and MRF. His social media presence is also unparalleled, with over 200 million followers across platforms.

Beyond his financial success, Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of his generation. Known for his aggressive style and exceptional technique, he has broken numerous records and achieved milestones throughout his illustrious career.

However, Kohli’s journey to the top was not without its challenges. Harbhajan Singh, a former teammate, revealed that Kohli initially struggled against certain bowlers and doubted his own abilities. It was Singh who provided him with the necessary encouragement and guidance, instilling in him the belief that he could achieve greatness.

Kohli’s transformation from a flamboyant young player to a mature and calculated batter is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has learned to adapt his game to different situations, pacing his innings and playing according to the team’s needs.

Despite his success, Kohli remains humble and grounded. He is known for his commitment to fitness and his unwavering determination to improve. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and fans alike, demonstrating that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.

Record-Breaking Summer Transfer Window Sees Over 11,000 International Transfers

Record-Breaking Summer Transfer Window Sees Over 11,000 International Transfers

FIFA’s recent report reveals a record-breaking summer transfer window, with over 11,000 international transfers registered globally. Despite a slight decline in spending compared to last year, clubs across the globe invested heavily to bolster their squads.

The most expensive transfer of the window was Julian Alvarez’s move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid for a staggering €75 million. Kylian Mbappe’s sensational free transfer to Real Madrid also made headlines, with the French forward reportedly receiving a hefty signing bonus.

However, overall spending on transfer fees cooled off during the mid-year trading period. FIFA’s research indicates that clubs committed to spend $6.46 billion on international player deals, down from $7.43 billion in the same period last year.

The average transfer fee paid by European clubs, the richest market, was $3.13 million, a decrease from $3.8 million a year ago. Notably, the FIFA study excludes the biggest transfer deal of the European offseason, Dominic Solanke’s move from Bournemouth to Tottenham.

English clubs emerged as the biggest net spenders, investing $1.69 billion on international transfers. Italy and Saudi Arabia also had significant net spending, while Belgian clubs made a net profit of $302 million.

Clubs from Argentina and Brazil also benefited from the transfer window, receiving more than they spent on international deals.

Of the record 11,000 international transfers processed by FIFA, nearly 6,300 were free agent players. This highlights the growing trend of clubs acquiring players without paying transfer fees.

Yogesh Kathuniya Vows to Strengthen Mental Game After Fifth Consecutive Paralympic Silver

Yogesh Kathuniya Vows to Strengthen Mental Game After Fifth Consecutive Paralympic Silver

Indian discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya has expressed the need to enhance his mental fortitude after securing a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics, marking his fifth consecutive second-place finish since the Tokyo Games.

Kathuniya, 27, achieved a season-best throw of 42.22m in the discus throw F-56 event, but acknowledged that his mental strength has been lacking. “I have lacked in mental strength. I will have to build up more, just as it was before, in 2022. Since I got injured, due to cervical, it has come down,” he said.

The athlete, who competes from a seated position, has faced challenges including chickenpox and cervical radiculopathy. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to improve. “It’s okay. I am still young. I can easily play two more Paralympics. I will do better. I will change my style this time. I have a World Championship next year. I will perform well next year,” he said.

Kathuniya’s silver medal in Paris follows similar results at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, as well as the Asian Para Games last year. He believes that participating in more competitions leading up to the Paris Games would have been beneficial. “I think I made a mistake. I should have played a little more competition. I should have played more events. I was not ready. I played only two events this year. I should not have done that.”

Despite his recent string of silver medals, Kathuniya’s hunger for success remains strong. “To be honest, my hunger will never end. Even if I hit 50m, my hunger will not end. I want to show the world that it was Yogesh Kathuniya who crossed 50m in a seated throw, the first person in the world.”

Kathuniya is now planning a two-month break, including a solo trip to Switzerland, to focus on his mental well-being. “I think my mind should be relaxed. And I will have to go away from sports once. So that I can focus more on mental strength.”

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Bolster Squad with Josh Clarkson

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Bolster Squad with Josh Clarkson

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, plagued by injuries in the early stages of CPL 2024, have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of New Zealand’s Josh Clarkson. The 27-year-old, renowned for his explosive batting and brisk bowling, has been awarded his first New Zealand central contract but is not yet in the Test scheme of things.

Clarkson’s addition to the Patriots is expected to fill the void left by Zimbabwean allrounder Sikandar Raza, who withdrew from the tournament due to injury. The Patriots have also added Mohammad Mohsin, a Pakistan-born USA wristspinner, to their roster.

Patriots head coach Malolan Rangarajan expressed his disappointment over the injuries that have disrupted the team’s balance. “We’ve had a few hiccups at the start of [the season], with Sherfane [Rutherford] missing out the first game and Rilee [Rossouw] getting injured in the first innings of our fielding,” Rangarajan said.

Despite the setbacks, the Patriots began the season with a thrilling last-ball win against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. However, they suffered back-to-back defeats at home against Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Kings, despite posting 200-plus totals in both innings. Their bowlers have come under fire for conceding heavy runs, while their fielding has also been criticized.

Patriots captain Andre Fletcher has called for a stronger response from his team. “We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit, but it just boils down to execution,” Fletcher said. “We haven’t been executing as well as we ought to, but I’m confident.”

Fletcher emphasized the importance of team unity and blocking out external noise. “As a leader, I try to be not under pressure,” Fletcher said. “I wouldn’t doubt myself; I’ve done it before and it’s just a matter of getting the guys together.”

The Patriots will look to turn their fortunes around in their upcoming matches, with Clarkson’s arrival expected to provide a much-needed boost.

Duleep Trophy Returns to Regional Format, National Team Stars Set to Shine

Duleep Trophy Returns to Regional Format, National Team Stars Set to Shine

In Indian domestic cricket, the Duleep Trophy has long served as a testing ground for emerging talent. After years of experimentation with formats and teams, the tournament has returned to its traditional region-wise format. This year’s edition, commencing on September 4, 2024, will feature four teams named A, B, C, and D.

The Duleep Trophy remains a significant event in the Indian cricket calendar, despite the rise of India-A as a stepping stone to the national team. A strong performance in the tournament can still make waves, especially as it marks the start of the domestic season. The BCCI’s emphasis on red-ball cricket further underscores the importance of the Duleep Trophy.

The tournament will witness the return of several national team regulars, including Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will also make his red-ball comeback after his horrific car accident in December 2022.

The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, and the new team management, headed by head coach Gautam Gambhir, will be closely monitoring the Duleep Trophy for potential additions to the national team bench strength. A key focus will be finding a backup opener to Yashasvi and Rohit Sharma. Sarfaraz Khan, among others, will aim to impress as middle-order reinforcements.

With India scheduled to play 10 Tests in less than four months, the Duleep Trophy also provides an opportunity to identify fast-bowling reserves. Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and Vidwath Kaverappa are among the promising pacers who will be vying for attention.

The tournament will kick off with Team A taking on Team B at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, while Team C faces Team D in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The matches will begin at 9.30 a.m. IST.

Rohit Sharma's 'Naughty' Side Revealed by Jonty Rhodes

Rohit Sharma’s ‘Naughty’ Side Revealed by Jonty Rhodes

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma’s witty one-liners and candid comments have become a staple of the sport. His interactions with reporters and teammates have garnered widespread attention, showcasing his playful and charismatic nature.

South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes, who worked with Rohit as the Mumbai Indians fielding coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has shed light on the India skipper’s “naughty” side. Rhodes revealed that Rohit’s interactions with his teammates are often filled with humor and banter.

“The way that he interacts with his teammates, he’s quite a character. He’s quite a naughty boy, almost. He says a few things on the stump mic and you go ‘Oh! Do you know people are listening, Ro?’ I don’t understand all of it but it’s always broadcast and translated for us,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes also praised Rohit’s growth as a captain, highlighting his ability to connect with his teammates and foster a positive environment.

“From a captaincy point of view, he has been superb. I was with him at MI for a quite few seasons. He grew as a captain there and that’s the best thing about him,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes emphasized the importance of constant evolution for cricketers, noting that Rohit’s success stems from his willingness to adapt and improve.

“Cricketers have to keep reinventing themselves. You are found out easily at the international level. I was dropped for two years from Test cricket because I had a technical issue.”

“If you look at Rohit, so much cricket has been played that if you don’t evolve, you are going to be stuck. People are going to figure you out,” he added.

India will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting September 19, where Rohit’s leadership and witty remarks will undoubtedly be on display.

Brendon McCullum Appointed England Head Coach Across All Formats

Brendon McCullum Appointed England Head Coach Across All Formats

Brendon McCullum’s transformative impact on England’s Test team has earned him an expanded role as head coach across all formats. The former New Zealand captain has been credited with instilling a fearless, attacking brand of cricket, dubbed “Bazball,” leading England to a remarkable turnaround in Test cricket.

Since taking over a struggling Test side in May 2022, McCullum has guided England to 19 victories in 28 matches, a stark contrast to the team’s previous struggles. His appointment as head coach across all formats signals England’s commitment to his leadership and their belief in his ability to replicate the Test team’s success in limited-overs cricket.

McCullum’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for England’s white-ball teams, who have experienced recent setbacks, including surrendering both the 50-over and 20-over World Cup titles in the past year. The hope is that his positive influence and aggressive approach can revitalize these teams and propel them back to the top of the international game.

Stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope praised McCullum’s impact, highlighting his ability to inspire confidence and encourage players to perform at their best. “We’ve seen the impact he’s had on us as a Test team and as individuals, which I think he can then transfer into the white-ball stuff as well,” Pope said.

England’s decision to hand Josh Hull his Test debut in the final match against Sri Lanka further underlines their commitment to nurturing young talent and maintaining the winning momentum established under McCullum’s guidance. A series victory would mark the first time since 2004 that England has achieved a clean sweep of home Test wins, a testament to the team’s remarkable transformation and a positive sign for the future of English cricket under McCullum’s leadership.

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Denies Rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Denies Rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Dismisses Rift Rumors with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan cricket captain Shan Masood has vehemently denied rumors of a rift between him and star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. The speculations arose after Afridi was omitted from the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh.

The rumors intensified when a video clip from the first Test emerged, showing Afridi seemingly brushing off Masood’s hand from his shoulder. However, Masood has clarified that there was no disagreement between the two.

“There are no issues between us,” Masood said. “Shaheen had his arms around my back, but he politely removed my hand from his shoulder because it was sore after being hit by a ball during our innings.”

Masood also refuted claims that Afridi was dropped for the second Test due to the incident. “We had a good discussion with Shaheen,” Masood explained. “We told him he remains our best bowler and needs to work on finding his best rhythm and form.”

The Pakistan captain also dismissed suggestions that he was concerned about his future as Test captain. “I don’t think about these things,” Masood said. “Being made captain is a privilege, and until I am captain, my only focus is to take the team forward.”

Masood acknowledged the team’s disappointing performance in the Bangladesh series, which they lost 2-0. “Losing to Bangladesh is totally unacceptable for us,” he said. “We need to improve our performance and work hard to regain our winning ways.”

Bollipalli and Kadhe Advance in Shanghai Challenger Doubles

Bollipalli and Kadhe Advance in Shanghai Challenger Doubles

Indian tennis duo Rithvik Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe secured a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 victory over David Pel and Bart Stevens of the Netherlands in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the $133,250 Challenger tournament in Shanghai, China. The win propelled them into the last eight of the competition.

In the women’s $25,000 ITF event in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, Vaidehi Chaudhari cruised past Vaishnavi Adkar, dropping only three games in the first round. Her dominant performance sets her up for a promising run in the tournament.

Meanwhile, in the $133,250 Challenger in Shanghai, Siddhant Banthia and Bruno Navarro of Spain defeated Fabien Salle of France and Adria Barrera of Colombia 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles pre-quarterfinals.

The $82,000 Challenger in Istanbul, Turkey, witnessed several exciting doubles matches. Michael Geerts of Belgium and Divij Sharan of India overcame Cezar Cretu and Bogdan Pavel of Romania 6-4, 6-7(6), [10-5]. Egor Agafonov and Ilia Simakin of Russia cruised past Joshua Paris of Great Britain and Ramkumar Ramanathan of India 6-1, 6-2.

In the $25,000 ITF men’s event in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, S Mukund, Dheeraj Srinivasan, and Xu Weitao of China all secured first-round victories.

The $15,000 ITF men’s tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, saw Sidharth Rawat, Vishnu Vardhan, and Seydina Andre advance to the second round. In the doubles pre-quarterfinals, Dev Javia and Rishi Reddy of India defeated Daniil Golubev and EVgenii Tiurnev 6-2, 7-6(4).

The $25,000 ITF women’s event in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, featured a thrilling doubles pre-quarterfinal match where Margaux Maquet of Belgium and Maria Vaquero of Spain edged out Maria Gonzalez of Colombia and Sahaja Yamalapalli 3-6, 6-2, [10-7].

In the $25,000 ITF women’s tournament in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, Vaidehi Chaudhari continued her impressive form with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Vaishnavi Adkar in the first round.

The $15,000 ITF women’s event in Monastir, Tunisia, saw Zeel Desai and Zou Ruirui of China secure first-round wins.

Kumble, Dravid Guide Match Referees in Bengaluru Seminar

Kumble, Dravid Guide Match Referees in Bengaluru Seminar

Former Indian Captains Kumble and Dravid Share Insights at Match Referee Seminar

In a significant event at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, former Indian captains and head coaches Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid participated in a seminar on Wednesday, sharing their expertise on match management with match referees.

The seminar delved into various aspects of managing a game on the field, with Kumble and Dravid providing valuable insights based on their extensive experience as players and coaches. Other notable figures in the cricketing world also contributed to the discussions, including ICC match referee and former India pacer Javagal Srinath, Elite Panel umpire Nitin Menon, and NCA Education Head Sujith Somasundar.

The seminar attracted the participation of several domestic match referees, including the seasoned Manu Nayyar. The attendees engaged in discussions and deliberations on topics related to match management, exchanging their experiences and ideas to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field.

Srinath, a match referee since 2006, and Nitin, who recently officiated in the T20 World Cup, shared their experiences from the prestigious tournament. Srinath, a former Indian fast bowler, has officiated in more than 250 ODIs, making him one of the few referees to achieve this milestone.

Earlier this year, the ICC Elite Panel of referees and umpires retained both Srinath and Nitin for their exceptional performance and dedication to the sport. The seminar provided a platform for these experienced individuals to share their knowledge and insights with the match referees in attendance, contributing to the overall development of match management in cricket.

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