Tag: Virat Kohli

Sports

Asian Legend Cup 2026: India Clinch Title with Five-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Tanisha Cardozo

India Legends capped off a dominant campaign by lifting the Asian Legend Cup 2026 after registering a convincing five-wicket victory over Bangladesh Legends in the final at the BCA Ground in Thailand.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh Legends struggled to gain momentum against disciplined Indian bowling and were restricted to 123 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Najmuj Sadat top-scored with a measured 22, while Sadiqur Rahman chipped in with 21. Intyiaj Hossain’s brief knock of 21 showed promise, but regular wickets prevented Bangladesh from building any substantial partnerships.

India’s bowlers kept things tight from the outset. Kapil Rana and Kalim Khan were the standout performers, claiming two wickets each to dent Bangladesh’s top and middle order. Amardeep Sonkar impressed with an economical spell, conceding just six runs in three overs and picking up a wicket, while Goa’s Madar Basappa also chipped in with a crucial breakthrough. Sharp fielding further aided India’s cause, resulting in two run-outs.

Chasing a modest target of 124, India Legends endured an early wobble as Bhanu Seth, Narendra Meena and Kalim Khan departed cheaply. Former Bangladeshi international star Alok Kapali produced a spirited spell for Bangladesh, picking up four wickets and briefly tilting the contest in his side’s favour.

However, Deepak anchored the chase with a calm yet authoritative innings. Displaying excellent game awareness, he rotated the strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries, finishing unbeaten on 74. Skipper Jatin Saxena provided valuable support with an unflustered 21 not out, as the duo stitched together a decisive unbeaten partnership to steer India home in 18.4 overs.

Despite Bangladesh’s efforts with the ball, including Kapali’s four-wicket haul, the lack of runs on the board ultimately proved costly. India crossed the line comfortably, sparking celebrations in the camp and sealing the Asian Legend Cup 2026 title in style.

Sports

Goa’s Madar Basappa Shines as India Legends Storm into Asian Legend Cup 2026 Final

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s Madar Basappa produced a match-defining performance with the ball as India Legends registered a thumping 104-run victory over Hong Kong in a league match of the Asian Legend Cup 2026 in Thailand, sealing their place in the tournament final. The win marked yet another dominant display by the Indian side in an impressive campaign.

After opting to bat first, India Legends piled up a massive 240 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs, powered by aggressive knocks from Bhanu Seth, Parminder and Amer Khan. The imposing total put Hong Kong under immense pressure from the outset, setting the stage for India’s bowlers to take control of the contest.

Madar Basappa emerged as the standout performer with the ball, delivering an exceptional spell of 3 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. Bowling with sharp control, variation and discipline, the Goan all-rounder struck at crucial moments to dismantle Hong Kong’s chase. He removed Kamal as the batter attempted to steady the innings, dismissed Ibrez soon after, and then produced a key moment by stumping Iftikhar to halt any hopes of a recovery. His economy rate of 3.75 reflected the pressure he consistently applied on the batters.

Hong Kong were eventually restricted to 136 in 20 overs, never able to recover from the damage inflicted by Basappa and the disciplined Indian bowling unit. While Bhanu Seth was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance, Madar Basappa’s spell stood out as one of the defining highlights of the encounter.

Basappa’s contribution brought pride to Goa as he showcased his talent on a major international stage. The all-rounder has also represented Gomanchal Warriors in the GVCL tournament and continues to strengthen his reputation as a dependable match-winner. India Legends have enjoyed a dominant run in the tournament, beginning with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka, followed by a comprehensive 77-run victory against arch-rivals Pakistan and a close 12-run win over Bangladesh, underlining their strong form heading into the final of the Asian Legend Cup 2026.

Sports

Virat Kohli Heads to London After Epic 54th ODI Century in Indore

allycaralgoa

Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass, smashing his 54th ODI century during India’s final match against New Zealand in Indore. The iconic batter reached the milestone in 108 balls, showcasing composure and class under pressure.

Kohli topped the series as India’s leading run-getter, registering scores of 93, 24, and 124, underlining his consistency and hunger for runs. However, his heroic effort wasn’t enough as India fell 41 runs short while chasing 338, allowing New Zealand to script history with their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil.

Despite the series setback, Kohli’s performance propelled him back to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings, a feat he achieved after more than four years. The achievement sparked celebrations among fans, even as many expressed disappointment over his upcoming six-month break from international cricket.

Kohli is expected to return to action later this year, with India scheduled to tour Afghanistan in June and England in July. Before that, fans can look forward to seeing him light up the IPL once again with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where expectations remain sky-high.

As Kohli heads to London for a short break, the cricketing world continues to marvel at his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to rise on the biggest stages.

Sports

Virat Kohli, Delhi Cricket, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rishabh Pant, List A Cricket, India Cricket, T20 Mode, Cricket News, Allycaral

allycaralgoa

Bengaluru, December 26, 2025: Delhi’s batting star Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his white-ball dominance with a blistering 53 not out off 29 deliveries in their Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Gujarat at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

In his second domestic List A match in 15 years, Kohli’s innings featured 11 fours and a six, yielding a remarkable strike rate of 182.76. Delhi reached 62 for one early in their innings, setting the tone for a commanding performance.

This came after Kohli’s unbeaten 131 off 101 balls in a thrilling chase against Andhra Pradesh on December 24, where he shared a vital partnership with opener Priyansh Arya to guide Delhi past Andhra’s 298-run total. Fans and cricket analysts alike hailed Kohli’s innings as peak white-ball aggression, dubbing it “T20 mode,” a sign of his readiness and form as Delhi, captained by Rishabh Pant, look to build momentum in the tournament.

With this performance, Kohli not only reinforced his reputation as a modern-day batting maestro but also sent a strong message to domestic and international cricket followers that his firepower in limited-overs cricket remains unmatched.

Sports

Blind Goa Cricket Makes History, Finishes 9th at 8th Nagesh Trophy National Tournament

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

A new and inspiring chapter was written in Goa’s sporting history as the Goa Blind Cricket Team secured a place among the top 10 teams in the country at the 8th Nagesh Trophy National Blind Cricket Tournament. Finishing 9th among teams representing over 28 states, the achievement highlighted not only cricketing skill but also extraordinary resilience and self-belief.

The Nagesh Trophy is regarded as the biggest platform for blind cricket in India, and Goa’s journey through the tournament stood out for its consistency and tactical brilliance. The team dominated Group E, registering four emphatic victories. Goa began its campaign with a commanding win over Manipur, bowling them out for 111 and winning by 169 runs, with Nilesh Mirgal named Man of the Match. In the second encounter, Goa posted 233 runs against Railways, with Mirgal scoring a century and helping restrict the opposition to 132. The third match saw Goa defeat Vidarbha after scoring 157 and restricting them to 112, with captain Aftab Patel earning the Man of the Match award. Goa concluded the group stage by defeating Jammu & Kashmir, scoring 170 runs, with Mirgal once again delivering an all-round performance of 87 runs and key wickets.

The team’s success was powered by strong contributions across categories. In the B1 category, captain Aftab Patel led from the front, supported by Kailash Sainath, a key bowler, and Akshay Harsh. The B2 category featured impactful performances from Nilesh Mirgal, a consistent match-winner with both bat and ball, and Chander Dinesh, known for his bowling, fielding and dependable batting. In the B3 category, Jignesh emerged as an important all-rounder, while Arvind and Nilesh N contributed steadily. Young wicketkeeper-batsman Vibhishan impressed on debut, earning his place directly in the Goa national team with his sharp keeping and batting skills.

Behind the scenes, the guidance of Treasurer and Head Coach Yashwant Nageshkar played a crucial role. His confidence in the players and constant encouragement helped shape the team’s mindset and performance. Coach Omkar and Manager Prathamesh also played key roles in ensuring preparation and team cohesion.

Captain Aftab Patel’s leadership stood out throughout the tournament. One of the youngest captains in Indian blind cricket, he took charge at a time of transition after senior players retired and led the team to a historic national ranking. His journey reflects both personal determination and the mentorship he received from the coaching staff.

Blind cricket relies on sound, instinct and trust, and Goa’s team proved that strong intent can overcome physical barriers. With this top-10 finish, the team now looks ahead to future national challenges, with hopes of greater support from the Goa government and sports fraternity. Several players are now aspiring for selection to the Indian National Blind Cricket Team, carrying forward the belief that success is driven not by sight, but by vision.