Virat Kohli’s decision to step away from Test cricket last year came as a surprise to many, particularly given the widespread belief that he still had more to contribute in the longest format. The announcement arrived in the middle of IPL 2025, at a time when scrutiny around his red-ball form had intensified. A challenging tour of Australia had once again highlighted his vulnerability outside the off-stump, a pattern that drew consistent criticism. In an effort to regain form and confidence, Kohli even returned to domestic cricket, featuring in the Ranji Trophy, but the expected turnaround did not materialise. With pressure mounting and little respite from constant attention, he eventually decided to bring the curtain down on his Test career, ending a significant chapter in Indian cricket. Over the course of 123 Tests, Kohli amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a highest score of 254*. Since making his debut in 2011, he combined intensity with consistency, particularly during his tenure as captain, leading India to several landmark victories and establishing himself as one of the country’s most successful Test leaders. Former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared the dressing room with Kohli for years, revealed that he had personally expressed his belief that the batter still had more to offer in Test cricket. “I’ve directly told him that he had cricket left him in Test cricket. There was something left in Test cricket, but it’s okay, honestly. There is a problem in India about the perception,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. Reflecting further on the decision, Ashwin underlined the values that shaped Kohli’s career, particularly his commitment to putting the team above everything else, while acknowledging how difficult such a call would have been. “He has retired, I mean, even look at it from Virat’s value and Virat’s principle, he always kept team first. Even at press conferences, he always said that the team is very important, that we have got to win. He has said all this. And for him to say okay, I’ve taken a retirement, I want to come back, it’s not an easy decision for him to make, also, but I do certainly believe he had some cricket left,” he added.

NEW DELHI: Till Feb 27, it seemed like a usual trip back home through familiar waters for the crew of the Indian-flagged ship. But everything changed dramatically, recalled a senior officer of the vessel — that returned to India early this week after crossing the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz — as the US and Israel launched coordinated, surprise airstrikes against multiple sites across Iran the next day.After loading the ship at Ras Laffan in Qatar on Feb 27, which is around 300–350 km (about 160–190 nautical miles) by sea, the captain and crew were all set to embark on their voyage to India. “But things came to a halt with reports and instances of major airstrikes. We took refuge at a safe anchorage at a port in the UAE. We faced a lot of problems as GPS started giving trouble and instruments on the ship were not working properly. This added to our anxiety levels. We were watching news and getting updates of the war and attacks which were happening in the region. We just followed the advisories and instructions of DG Shipping, Shipping Corporation of India and Indian Navy,” the officer told TOI on condition of anonymity.For the crew, apart from the risk they faced in the war zone, what added to their anxieties was the depleting stock of drinking water. “We had enough food to manage for more than a month. But potable water was becoming an issue. Cargo ships can generate very little drinking water when stopped, and that’s not enough to sustain crew members; in the case of older ships, this is reduced further. We could have managed for another 7-10 days with the water we had,” the officer said.This is because the onboard water production system or freshwater generators on such a vessel are linked to the heat and power generated by the main engine while it is running.Another big challenge was to keep the crew members motivated and instill confidence in them that the ship would be able to sail back to India safely given the govt’s focus on rescuing Indian-flagged vessels, which are crucial to its energy security. The cricket World Cup matches helped too to reduce the stress in the air on the ship.After an almost 10-day wait at the port, the crew got the good news on March 13 (Friday) that they could start their journey that night. “We had no prior information, though we were aware that the Indian govt was working hard for safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels. We were in touch with Indian Navy, which escorted us after we crossed the Strait of Hormuz. We were not in contact with the Iranian Navy,” the officer said in response to a question.News agency Bloomberg reported that the Iranian Navy had guided an Indian LPG vessel through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing the ship to pass on a pre-approved route following diplomatic engagement by New Delhi. It said that during the crossing, the ship was in contact with the Iranian navy by radio and the Iranians took details of the ship’s flag, name, origin and destination ports, and the nationality of the crew members.There have been reports of at least eight vessels transiting Hormuz this week.

SRINAGAR\JAMMU: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah expressed grave concern Saturday over Eid prayers being blocked at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Mosque, terming it “regrettable” and questioning LG Manoj Sinha-led administration’s claims of “normality” in the Union territory.“Across J&K, Eid prayers were offered. But prayers were not allowed at Jamia Mosque. It exposes the administration that controls security and law and order. They repeatedly say the situation is completely normal. What kind of normalcy is it when permission is not given to offer prayers at Srinagar’s biggest mosque,” Omar said at Hazratbal shrine.He expressed hope that such decisions would be reviewed and people would be allowed to offer prayers freely. Under J&K’s UT arrangement since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, police and security fall under LG Sinha’s jurisdiction.Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir who delivers sermons at Jamia Mosque, said he was placed under house arrest and the shrine was locked. Sharing pictures on X of the locked mosque, Mirwaiz pointed out that this was the seventh year of restrictions. “A day of celebration turned to grief and denial for Muslims. It’s an irony of our times that those who lock our mosques and Eidgahs are the first to wish us Eid Mubarak,” Mirwaiz wrote.LG Sinha was among the key public figures, apart from CM Omar, who extended Eid greetings to people. “The sacred festival embodies the noble spirit of sacrifice and the joy of sharing. May Eid usher in peace, prosperity and happiness for all,” the LG posted.Mirwaiz said he was placed under house arrest on Friday, with the authorities “choking lanes and bylanes with concertina wire and disallowing movement”. Since his release in Sept 2023 after four years of house arrest following Article 370’s scrapping, Mirwaiz has faced frequent restrictions, with the police detaining him at home ahead of Friday prayers and Eid.This time, J&K Police did not comment on the curbs, only saying prayers in Srinagar were held peacefully and urging people to celebrate with responsibility.In Jammu, though, the festival was marked by fervour, traditional gaiety and special prayers for an end to the West Asia conflict.People in festive attire thronged various sites. The main congregation was held at Eidgah, where thousands offered Eid namaz. Rattan Lal Gupta, Jammu chief of CM Omar’s National Conference (NC), visited the site, emphasising the region’s tradition of communal amity.NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri lamented that global conflicts have led to rising prices and hardships. “We pray that wisdom prevails, the (Iran) war ends, and people get relief from suffering. We also pray for peace and brotherhood in our country,” Veeri said.

NBA Star LeBron James (Image via Getty)

LeBron James has played against some of the toughest players in basketball history. He is big, strong, and fast. But this week, “The King” met a new opponent that he did not want to fight- a sneaky alligator!LeBron was playing golf with his son, Bronny James. They were having a fun, relaxing day in the sun. Everything was going well until LeBron hit his ball near a small pond.

LeBron James nearly risks it all during golf game before spotting alligator nearby

When LeBron went to get his ball, he saw something moving in the water. It wasn’t another golfer or a bird. It was a real alligator! The alligator was sitting very still, just watching LeBron. It looked like it was waiting for him to come closer.LeBron stopped immediately. He didn’t want to get too close to the water’s edge. He knew that even though he is a superstar, an alligator is much more dangerous than a basketball player.Someone in the group started filming the moment. In the video, you can hear LeBron talking about the gator. He was being very careful.“He is sneaky,” LeBron said to his friends. “If I go down there and he goes under the water, it’s over! I am not playing with him today.”Bronny and his friends thought it was hilarious. They were laughing and joking while LeBron stayed far away from the pond. LeBron knew that the alligator had the “home court advantage.”LeBron is famous for being a very smart player on the basketball court. This moment showed that he is smart in real life, too. He didn’t try to be a hero. He didn’t try to scare the alligator away with his golf club.Instead, LeBron made a simple choice. He left the ball where it was. He decided that a cheap golf ball was not worth getting bitten by a swamp monster. He took a “penalty,” which means he just started his next shot from a safe spot further away.The Los Angeles Lakers are probably very happy that LeBron is safe. He might be the King of the basketball court, but he knows that the alligator is the King of the swamp! From now on, LeBron might stay far away from the water when he plays golf.