Kohli snatches ICC top spot from A B de Villiers, surpasses Sachin's points

Kohli scored 263 runs in the series and has reached 889 points, which is the best ever by an India batsman

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Monday returned to the top of the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen after logging career-high rating points, going past the iconic Sachin Tendulkar in the process.

Kohli has moved back to the top within 10 days of losing it to South Africa batsman AB de Villiers after the rankings were updated following India's 2-1 home series win over against New Zealand.

The 28-year-old Delhi batsman, who scored 263 runs in the series, has reached 889 points, which is the best ever by an India batsman.

"The previous highest points tally of 887 was managed by Sachin Tendulkar in 1998 and by Kohli earlier this year," the ICC said in a statement.

India opener Rohit Sharma's 174 runs in the series has seen him reach a career-high rating of 799 points, even though he remains in seventh position.

Former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has risen one place to 11th in the latest rankings.

The list for bowlers continues to be led by Pakistan pace bowler Hasan Ali while India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has reached a career-best third after finishing with six wickets in the series against New Zealand. (more)

Virat Kohli only Indian in Forbes highest paid athletes list, earns $22 mn

Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list with a total pay of $93 mn; Serena Williamssole woman listed

Current Affairs : Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is the sole sportsperson from the country to feature among the world’s 100 highest paid athletes in the latest Forbes list topped by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kohli, 28, has been ranked 89th on the 2017 Virat Kohli In Forbes List of ‘The World’s highest paid athletes’ with a total pay of $22 million, which includes $3 million from salary and winnings and another $19 million from endorsements.

Describing Kohli as the “Indian cricket phenom”, Forbes said the sports star has “for good reason” already drawn comparisons to all-time great Sachin Tendulkar.

It added that Kohli has continuously shattered batting records and in 2015 was named the captain of the Indian national team, making him one of the youngest players to ever hold the job.

It noted that last year, Kohli made nearly $1 million in salary and match fees from his national team play, and he’s also among the Indian Premier League’s highest-paid players thanks to a $2.3 million salary from Royal Challengers Bangalore.

“The vast majority of his income, however, comes from one of the sports world’s most impressive sponsorships portfolios,” Forbes said.

The list has been topped by Ronaldo with a total pay of $93 million. American basketball star LeBron James comes in at the second spot with $86.2 million, followed by Argentine footballer Lionel Messi (3) with $80 million, tennis star Roger Federer (4) with $64 million and American basketball player Kevin Durant. Read Full Story >>>

Smartron srt.phone: A fine deal if you are a die-hard Sachin Tendulkar fan

Powerful innards of Smartron's 'all-rounder' smartphone are failed by its many software glitches

Domestic information technology (IT) start-up Smartron, which counts Indian cricket legend Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and former Motorola Mobility Chief Executive Sanjay Jha among its investors, recently launched the srt.phone smartphone, “inspired by the dependable traits of Tendulkar”.

At the launch of srt.phone, the company claimed that the smartphone used the best antennas and other security features that made it an all-rounder. Indeed, Smartron has pleased investors with its manoeuvres to deliver solutions ranging from internet of things (IoT) to smartphones built specifically for Indian consumers. But how does the srt.phone fare against the claims of dependability and the inspiration it apparently draws from one of the tallest role models for India in recent times?

To find out, Business Standard took the device for a spin and tested its real-life performance. Here is an in-depth review of the srt.phone:

Watch the hands-on review here
Design

The srt.phone offers a no-frills design, with rounded edges and curved sides. The smartphone might look appealing, but its polycarbonate built with metallic finish seems to somewhat spoil the experience. The plastic built is not loose or creaky – it fits perfectly on all sides and the matte touch adds to the aesthetics – but the pseudo metallic look was not necessary; it is way too prominent even at the first glance.

The front of the srt.phone is dominated by a 5.5-inch full-HD display protected with Gorilla Glass 3. There are three capacitive keys below the display, but these are without any sign or icon, just three flat dots. These dots acts are the home button and navigation keys. The earpiece along with sensors are placed neatly on the top, next to the front camera. (more)

Sachin: A Billion Dreams: A glorified account of an over-glorified celeb

Like his book, Tendulkar's biopic is a nostalgic cruise through his career

As I walked out of the cinema hall after watching Sachin: A Billion Dreams, I wondered: Would I have thought differently of this biopic had I not known anything about the person it is based on? James Erskine’s documentary on one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world – one who has achieved a near-deific status in India – went along expected lines.

But was that because I, like many Indians and cricket followers around the world, already knew so much about Sachin Tendulkar? How would someone living under a rock for the last quarter of a century, and did not know who Tendulkar was, have liked it?

Sachin: A Billion Dreams starts off rather nicely, showing us a naughty curly-haired boy of seven or eight years living in Mumbai’s Bandra suburb, getting up to the usual seven-or-eight-year-old boy things like annoying his neighbours with pranks. The boy then receives a cricket bat as a gift from his elder sister, and this is where the story that most Indians and cricket followers already know begins.

This wasn’t the first time I was watching the celluloid adaptation of a story I already knew. I wasn’t, of course, expecting any suspense or plot twists, but I have been far more entertained by some of those other movies where I already knew what was going to happen, than I was by Sachin: A Billion Dreams. Maybe our man under the rock might think differently, but then a story still needs to be told properly, completely and honestly, and this is where Erskine’s attempt is found lacking. (more)

'Sachin: A Billion Dreams': Informative, inspirational (IANS Review, Rating: ***)

Film: "Sachin: A Billion Dreams"; Director: James Erskine; Cast: Sachin Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar, Ajit Tendulkar, Sara Tendulkar, Mayuresh Pem, Mayur More; Rating: ***

"Sachin: A Billion Dreams" is a biopic that gives a holistic view of Sachin Tendulkar's life, who is revered as "the God" of cricket by his fans.

Structurally, the film is designed as a documentary. While the film encapsulates the life of the master blaster right from his birth till date, it also gives an insight into the socio-economic situation of the country, making it feel like heavy-duty stuff.

Also Read : Want my children to be judged as individuals: Sachin Tendulkar

This may not be the first documentary on Tendulkar, but probably it is the only one endorsed by him. So, you have him as the narrator sharing his personal moments along with his views and fears in a sincere and heartfelt manner.

While the film tells us of his growth as a cricketer which is common knowledge, it also reveals his personal life bringing to the fore his close-knit family and friends. How he got the name Sachin, how he met his wife, got married and how he spends his free moments, are a few of the interesting nuggets shared. So apart from Sachin you actually get to see his family and friends. Read more

'Baahubali' fame singer L V Revanth wins Indian Idol 9

Revanth has lent his voice for around 200 songs in southern films

Hyderabad-based L V Revanth — a popular name in the southern entertainment industry — overcame the language barrier to emerge the winner of popular singing reality show "Indian Idol 9" on Sunday in a musical finale filled with various melodious as well as humourous motifs.

Revanth, who has lent his voice for around 200 songs in southern films including "Baahubali: The Beginning", became known for his soulful voice right from the start when he auditioned for the show. Despite not knowing Hindi, he sang Bollywood songs effortlessly throughout the season and defeated Hyderabad-based P V N S Rohit and Punjab's Khuda Baksh in the finale to clinch the "Indian Idol" trophy along with a contract with Universal Music and Rs 25 lakh.

"Right now I am on cloud nine. I am very happy for winning the show. I would say that my life has just began right now. It's not easy to win that title being a south Indian singer. I saw this show as a big opportunity. The four-month journey in this show has completely changed my life," Revanth told IANS.

Ace choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, renowned singer Sonu Nigam and music composer Annu Malik, who kick-started the "Indian Idol" journey as judges in the first two editions, returned on the panel for the ninth season of the Sony Entertainment Television show, which was hosted by Karan Wahi and Paritosh Tripathi. (more)

PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar, Pullela Gopichand presented BMW cars

PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar, Pullela Gopichand presented BMW cars

Rio Olympics silver medallist shuttler P V Sindhu and bronze winner grappler Sakshi Malikalong with gymnast Dipa Karmakar and badminton coach Pullela Gopichandwere on Sunday presented BMW cars by cricket legendSachin Tendulkar here.

Hyderabad District Badminton Association president Chamundeshwarnath gifted the luxury cars to the four sportspersons for their outstanding achievement in the recently-concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Tendulkar, who was the goodwill ambassador of the Indian team at the Rio Olympics, handed over the keys at a function at the Gopichand Badminton Academy here.

Under the guidance of chief coach Gopichand, Sindhu clinched the silver medal in women's singles, making her the first Indian woman sportsperson to win a silver in the Olympics. Wrestler Sakshi had bagged a bronze in women's freestyle 58kg class.

Dipa, who missed a medal by a whisker, had finished fourth in the vault event and stunned the world with her risky Produnova vault.

Read more news about Rio Olympics.

MNS files FIR against AIB's Tanmay Bhat for video mocking Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar

MNS files FIR against AIB's Tanmay Bhat for video mocking Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar

A video from stand-up comic Tanmay Bhat, who is also co-founder of comic group All India Bakchod (AIB), in which he mimics venerated Bollywood playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has evoked a sharp reaction from the film fraternity as well as the political class.

On Monday, the Raj Thackeray-led MNS filed an FIR against Bhat and pledged to ban his shows in Mumbai.

MNS Chitrapat Sena' president Ameya Khopkar on Monday morning filed the police report in Shivaji Part and has demanded that the video uploaded by Bhatt be removed immediately.

The All India Bakchod (AIB) comedian reportedly posted the video on May 26 on Facebook titled "Sachin vs Lata Civil War" and made jokes about both, along with the disclaimer: "I make such nonsense on my Snapchat."

Using Snapchat’s face swap filter, Bhat first imitated Tendulkar, mocked Virat Kohli, saying who is a better player, Virat or Sachin, and then took a dig at Mangeshkar.

Some of the catch phrases that evoked criticism were:

“No, I’m very respectful for Virat. He is very good with bat and ladies.”

“Lata tai namaskar. Very respectfully I’d like to add that you are 5,000 years old.”

Read More.

BCCI recommends Virat Kohli for Khel Ratna, Ajinkya Rahane for Arjuna award

It is after a gap of four years that a cricketer has been recommended for the Khel Ratna

In this file photo, Virat Kohli plays a shot during the ICC World T20 match versus Australia at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

The Indian Cricket Board has recommended Test captain Virat Kohli for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country's highest sporting honour, and Ajinkya Rahane for theArjuna award this year.

If Kohli wins, he would become only the third cricketer after the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and the country's most successful captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to win India's highest sporting honour.

BCCI sources confirmed the development.Read more about this Article.

How Virat Kohli cracked the Rs 100-crore league

Virat Kohli is today, without doubt, India's premier human brand. And, that transformation, the meteoric rise, has taken place between Diwali (October 2015) and Holi (March 2016). Kohli's rankings were on the ascendant for the last three to four years, but he remained in the shadow of his captain and senior team mate, MS Dhoni. Besides sportsmen, typically lag the Bollywood troika of the Khans and Mr. Bachchan when it comes to celebrity rankings. But Kohli has managed to change all that.

The World Cup T-20 ignited Brand Virat Kohli. I studied the brand's evolution on 64 parameters and found that the rise in valuations is quite unprecedented. I have been tracking personality brands for well over a decade and such a major metamorphosis in a brand's attribute wheel, that too in such a short period, has rarely been observed. One reason is, of course, the phenomenal exposure that live television provides today. As a result after the T-20 matches, Virat's explosive batting and soaring sixes - not to forget his nimble running between the wickets - were seared into public memory.

When I finished one round of field studies in October-November last year, over a sample of over 2,500 respondents across five cities, Kohli was not in the position he is today. I then ran a purposive sample just after the World Cup T-20. In the interim six months, he had zoomed to the top, leaving Salman Khan who was top-of-the-pops in the last round way behind.

What makes Virat so special? When we look at his brand map, we find that his scores have zoomed on parameters labelled tough, dynamic, innovative and reliable. Kohli is regarded as progressive and contemporary, but most importantly, he is rated very high on being distinctive, stylish and prestigious. On most of these attributes his scores have doubled in a mere six months; that too across gender, demographics and geographies.

Judging by these responses, there is obviously more to Brand Virat than just his cricket. The fact that he is no longer seen to be arrogant (as he was perceived in his early years) is interesting. He is believed, on the contrary, to be very approachable and straight-forward, which means that his behaviour, on-field and off-the-field, is being closely watched by millions of his fans. His flying a kiss off his bat to then lady love Anushka; his bowing to icon Sachin Tendulkar in the pavilion on achieving a batting milestone; his appeal to everyone on social media to not troll his 'ex' - these actions seem to have endeared him to many. And for brand managers all around the world, these are all indicators of the making of a brand that transcends mere power drives and lofted maximums.Read More.

World T20: Australia did not lose to India - but to a man called Virat Kohli

Sometimes even the most sublime superlatives fail to do justice to certain sporting performances. On a balmy Chandigarh evening on Sunday, Virat Kohli played that very innings of his career; an effort that involved immense skill and endurance. So often, Kohli devours run chases for dinner, but this 51-ball 82 will go down a “giant among giants” type of knock; one that helped India storm into the semi-finals of the ICC World T20. 

There was little muscle involved, just touch and finesse. Every boundary was struck with exquisite precision; with the dexterity of a charming ballet dancer. The field was dissected the same way a surgeon would skillfully cut open his patient, and the ball often sped away like this match was being played on a snooker table. By the time this massacre reached its conclusion, Australia were left battered and bruised, and sent tumbling out. Kohli had made an absolute mockery of the 161 the Aussies had set India for victory.

ALSO READ: Is Virat Kohli a better cricketer than Sachin Tendulkar?

Towards the end, watching Kohli was like watching a highlight reel – almost every ball was sent crashing into the fence. Just that he was doing it for real. This was wizardry of an unseen kind, the kind that will linger in the memory for years to come. This was Kohli at his imperious best – an unassisted annihilation of one of the powerhouses of world cricket.

After Sachin Tendulkar had vanquished Australia at Sharjah in 1998, Mark Taylor had famously exclaimed that his team hadn’t lost to India, but to a man called Sachin. At the presentation ceremony on Sunday night, Steven Smith’s visage wore that same forlorn expression. He managed a wry grin but even he could not deny the damning eventuality of this brutal assault. After a point, with India having wickets in hand, a Kohli special seemed imminent.