“A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that he went to Mumbai for personal reasons. Virat will rejoin the team soon,” Cricbuzz quoted a source as saying.

It isn’t yet known what the personal emergency is but the expectations are that Virat would be back with the team in time.

As per former India great Sunil Gavaskar, England are the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup starting from October 5.

The Little Master fells that the Jos Buttler-led side has got a terrific bowling line-up and also consists of three ‘world-class all-rounders’ who can change the game.

“The defending champions England are definitely favourites to lift the coveted trophy because of the kind of talent that they have at the top of the order. They have got two or three world-class all-rounders who can change the game with both bat and ball. They have also got a very good bowling line-up, an experienced bowling line-up, so at the moment they are in my book,” said Gavaskar during an interview.

Meanwhile, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan backed Team India to win the title. As per Irfan, the hosts are ‘ticking all the boxes’ and are one of the favorites to lift the coveted ICC trophy.

“I am very excited to see how India performs and I really think they are one of the favorites, for sure because especially last couple of series, like Asia Cup, and the way India played against Australia as well in the home conditions. I think they are ticking all the boxes,” said Irfan during an interview.

However, Rohit himself feels that Virat is a better batsman than him in all the three formats of the game.

“I have seen that many of my fans compare me with Virat Kohli, but I don’t see any comparison there. I accept that Virat is better than me in every format of the game,” said Rohit recently.

Let’s take a look at the records of both the great batsmen across all three formats.

Virat vs Rohit in ODIs

In the 50-over format, Rohit has crossed 200 on three occasions, including that incredible 173-ball 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014. Kohli’s highest score is 183, but his average is an impressive 57.32 after 265 innings. Rohit averages an imposing 48.69, but that’s still nearly 10 runs an innings less than Kohli.

As far as strike rate is concerned, Kohli nudges ahead with 93.62 in comparison to 89.97 by Rohit.

Virat vs Rohit in T20Is

Rohit has four international hundreds in T20s, compared to Kohli’s one. However, Kohli’s (52.73) average is way superior than Rohit (31.32). Rohit (139.24) has a marginally better strike rate than Kohli (137.96). However, Kohli’s consistency has been nothing short of mind-boggling. He was player of the tournament at the T20 World Cup in both 2014 and 2016.

Virat vs Rohit in Tests

In the longer format of the game, there is no comparison between Virat and Rohit. Kohli has played more than twice as many matches (108 to 49), scored nearly 5,000 more runs, and made 29 centuries in the longest format of the game with an average just a touch under 50.

According to a report in Ahmedabad Mirror, people have been contacting hospitals for full-body check-up and an overnight stay for October 15. The alternative serves twin purposes: taking care of lodging plus healthcare.

“Since it’s a hospital they are asking for full-body check-up and an overnight stay so both of their purposes are fulfilled – saving money on lodging and getting their health check-up done,” Dr Paras Shah, who works at a hospital in the city, told the publication.

“These people are ready for any, from deluxe to suite room, whatever is offered to them. Since we have limited rooms, we are being judicious in taking such advance bookings from NRIs because our priority is patient care. I have inquiries from my friends from the USA to stay in my hospital as I have both special and general rooms. Their aim is to watch the Indo-Pak match and also take advantage of the medical facilities, since they want to stay in the hospital, and not at my home,” he was quoted as saying.

Ahmedabad will host as many as five matches during the ODI World Cup including the tournament opener between defending champions England and Zealand. The final of the showpiece event will also be held in Ahmedabad, on November 19.

Walsh also stated that both Tendulkar and Kohli are within top five batters in the world. Walsh’s statement came after the former India skipper displayed another magical innings in his landmark 500th international game and in the ongoing second Test match against hosts West Indies.

“Well, as an Indian great, I would rate Kohli just behind Sachin. Sachin is one of the greatest I have seen and played against,” said Walsh during an interview.

When asked about his opinion about top cricketers globally, Walsh said, “I will put Brian Lara and Viv Richards up from a West Indian point of view. Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh from Australia – two gentleman I played when I was a youngster, Graham Gooch from England and Javed Miandad from Pakistan.”

“But the value they put on their wickets reminded me of Virat Kohli as well. He doesn’t want to get out. So I will definitely have him in my top four, top five greatest cricketers I have seen,” the former speedster added.

In a good news to Ishan, captain Rohit has thrown his weight behind him. As per Rohit, Ishan has the freedom to play aggressive cricket even in the longest format of the game. The India captain also opened up about his recent conversations with the Mumbai Indians star amid India’s ongoing Windies tour.

“Ishan is a very talented player. We have seen it in the short career that he has had for India. He scored a double hundred in limited overs. He has the game, we have the responsibility to chisel that talent. We have to give him opportunities. He is a left-handed batter. He likes playing aggressive cricket. I have had clear discussions with him. I have explained to him how the team management wants him to play. He has been given freedom. He has the game, he needs the freedom and we will give him the opportunity,” said Rohit.

“I would like to speak specifically about Ishan’s wicket-keeping. He kept really, really well considering he played his first Test and to keep against Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja where the ball is turning and bouncing and some balls keeping low as well. I was very impressed with his keeping skills. Unfortunately he got to score just one run as we had to declare. We want our top-order batters bat long. If the opportunity comes to bat long, Ishan is raring to go,” Rohit added.

In the recently concluded Duleep Trophy 2023, South Zone, led by former Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh captain Hanuma Vihari, defeated West Zone by 75 runs in the final to clinch their 14th title.

Though, West Zone had a lot of big names in their team with the likes of Priyank Panchal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sarfaraz Khan and Suryakumar Yadav, the South Zone bowlers particularly the pacers rose to the occasion and guided their side to a stunning victory.

With a bit of rain in the air bringing with it some moisture on the pitches, the pace bowlers dominated the proceedings and gave a tough challenge to the batters.

Team India always struggle to find quality pacers in their ranks. Moreover, there is a requirement to bolster the bench strength of the Indian team with quality pacers all the time due to injury issues.

Let’s have a look at some pacers who impressed tremendously in this edition of the Duleep Trophy and can be fast-tracked into the Indian side.

Uttar Pradesh seamer Shivam Mavi played for Central Zone in Duleep Trophy 2023. He is known for his express pace. Already having got T20I cap for India, Mavi’s performances suggested that he can be pushed towards the longer format of the game too. With his impressive show of 6/44 against a star-studded West Zone side in the semifinal, Mavi is a strong contender for the longest format in Team India ranks.

Another pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla was responsible for single-handedly wrecking the Central Zone batting unit in their semifinal clash in Alur. He swung the ball back extremely well. His ability to exploit the condition was commendable.

Being a left-handed bowler, there is an excellent chance that Team India selectors will keep an eye on Nagwaswalla for the Test side as he will offer variety to the Indian attack.

Karnataka pacer Vidwath Kaverappa was perhaps the find of the Duleep Trophy. The lanky medium pacer swings the ball both ways. He was one of the key architects of South Zone’s title victory. He picked up a game changing 7-53 in the first innings of the final against West Zone. Young Kaverappa is an exciting prospect and he needs to be considered for the longest format of the game in Team India.

Bumrah is currently training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The speedster has been gradually increasing his workload.

The pacer underwent a back surgery in March. He had resumed bowling last month after successfully undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. His rehab programme has been continuing under the watchful eyes of VVS Laxman. Bumrah is currently bowling at full throttle at the nets. He is bowling 8-10 overs on a regular basis.

As per reports, Bumrah might make a return to Team India in its three-match T20I series in Ireland which will take place next month.

The bowling mainstay of the Indian team last appeared for the side in a T20I series against Australia in September last year. Several experts feel that it was a hurried comeback as the pacer struggled with back injury. He was eventually ruled out of the T20 World Cup later in this year and it pegged India severely in the mega event.

Kuldeep last played a Test for the Men in Blue in December 2022 against Bangladesh. The left arm spinner has been part of the Test squad for the home series against Australia. However, he didn’t find a place for the West Indies Tests.

“Kuldeep should definitely be there as he is a very good bowler. Leg-spinners are very attacking bowlers. They concede runs as well but you need to take a leg-spinner along with you and groom him. Whenever you get a chance, he should be given an opportunity,” said Kumble.

“Kuldeep is a very good spinner for Test matches. He has given very good performances whenever he has got a chance as well. There are a lot of wrist-spinners in white-ball formats. We are not getting to see them much in Test matches,” the former Test captain added.

As per Kumble, current spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja has done a fine job. He also lauded Axar Patel for his all-round shows. However, the spin great stressed that Kuldeep needs to be given matches wherever possible.