Here’s full list of Virat Kohli's 50 ODI centuries as he smashes Sachin's record

KCF, a global socio-cultural organisation of Karnataka expatriates, is actively involved in education, humanitarian initiatives and community well-being across several countries. The awardees were selected following a structured evaluation of nominations by the Annual Council Program Committee, based on the depth, consistency and long-term impact of their social service.

One of the award recipients, Abdul Razak Haji, a prominent UAE-based entrepreneur from the Qamcon Group of Companies, was honoured for his significant contributions to society. Through both his professional journey and personal initiatives, he has supported numerous employees and families, while also extending assistance in education, housing for the underprivileged and various charitable causes, largely carried out quietly over the years. His award was presented earlier during the Annual Council Program held at the KCF Abu Dhabi office.

The second award was conferred on Latheef Kakkinje, a young social worker based in Abu Dhabi, in recognition of his active involvement in community engagement programmes, sports initiatives, talent festivals and family-oriented social activities. His consistent volunteering efforts and commitment to humanitarian causes were highly appreciated by the selection committee.

The award presentation ceremony for Latheef Kakkinje was held at the Zayed Cricket Stadium (Astro Turf Ground) in the presence of Kedumbady Ibrahim Saqafi, President of KCF UAE; Ibrahim, General Secretary; Kabeer Bayambady, President of KCF Abu Dhabi; Ummer Ishwaramangila, General Secretary; along with other members of the KCF Abu Dhabi cabinet.

Congratulating both awardees, KCF leaders reiterated the organisation’s commitment to recognising individuals who selflessly work for social upliftment and community service.

Cricket’s popularity in India goes far beyond packed stadiums and television ratings. It is a sport that lives on even when no match is being played, through conversations, memories, data, and daily habits. The reason cricket commands such loyalty lies not just in the game itself, but in how deeply it has become part of India’s social and cultural rhythm.

1. A Game That Is Easy to Play, Easy to Love

Cricket’s mass appeal begins at the grassroots level. Unlike many other sports, it doesn’t require specialised infrastructure. A small open space, a bat, and a ball are enough. For decades, children across cities and villages have grown up playing informal games, learning rules instinctively, and developing an early emotional connection with the sport. This early familiarity makes cricket less of a spectacle and more of a shared experience.

2. Players Who Became Cultural Icons

Indian cricket has been shaped by players whose influence extends far beyond the boundary line. Sachin Tendulkar inspired an entire generation with his consistency and humility, becoming a symbol of aspiration in the 1990s. MS Dhoni defined leadership with calm decision-making and led India through some of its most memorable victories. Today, Virat Kohli represents intensity, fitness, and modern professionalism, resonating strongly with younger fans.

These players didn’t just win matches, they shaped conversations, attitudes, and even personal identities. Their journeys are discussed as much as their performances, keeping fans emotionally invested year-round.

3. Storytelling That Extends Beyond the Match

Cricket thrives on narratives. Rivalries, comebacks, and turning points are replayed endlessly in discussions long after a series ends. A close loss or dramatic win often becomes a reference point in everyday conversations. This storytelling culture ensures cricket remains relevant even during breaks in the international calendar.

4. Technology and the Rise of the Second-Screen Fan

Digital platforms have changed how fans follow the sport. Live score apps, ball-by-ball commentary, analytics dashboards, podcasts, and social media debates allow fans to stay connected continuously. Many viewers now watch matches with a second screen in hand, tracking statistics or participating in discussions while the game unfolds.

As engagement has evolved, so have the ways fans interact with the sport off the field. Some analyse data, some play fantasy leagues, while others explore platforms that offer structured prediction-based engagement. In this wider ecosystem, fans may come across curated resources discussing the best cricket betting sites, often as part of broader research into how digital platforms are reshaping cricket-related participation.

5. Cricket as a Social and Cultural Event

Major matches in India are rarely solitary experiences. Families plan gatherings around key games, cafés and offices stream live action, and entire neighbourhoods pause during crucial moments. Cricket aligns naturally with festivals, weekends, and national moods, turning matches into shared social rituals rather than just sporting events.

6. Media That Never Lets the Game Pause

Even when no series is underway, cricket dominates news cycles. Team selections, player fitness, and upcoming tours are analysed continuously by sports media. International developments are closely followed through organisations like the International Cricket Council (ICC), keeping Indian fans connected to the global game.

7. A Sport That Offers Something for Everyone

Perhaps cricket’s greatest strength is its flexibility. Casual viewers enjoy the drama, data enthusiasts dive into numbers, tacticians analyse strategies, and long-time fans follow players’ careers closely. The sport accommodates every level of interest, making it easy for people to engage in their own way.

In India, cricket is not confined to the field of play. It lives on through players, platforms, stories, and shared experiences, long after the final over is bowled. That enduring presence is what truly makes cricket the most followed sport in the country.

New Delhi: Setting speculation to the rest, the CPI(M) has made it clear that it is open to have an electoral understanding with the Congress “to defeat” the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal Assembly election even as it is all set to take on the grand old party in Kerala accusing it of “found wanting” in fighting the Hindutva forces.

The CPI(M) also said that it will contest the Tamil Nadu election “with DMK and its allies to defeat the BJP and its allies”, amid a section in the Congress triggering confusion about its participation in the M K Stalin-led coalition over demand over power-sharing and more seats. It is also willing to join hands with Congress and others in Assam and Puducherry to defeat the BJP.

The decisions came at a three-day meeting of the CPI(M) Central Committee in Thiruvananthapuram, which ended on Sunday after reviewing the poll preparations in the poll-bound states.

The CPI(M)'s decision came even as a section led by West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar is averse to tying up with the Left Front, claiming that their party is not benefitted by the electoral understanding. Both Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front had electoral understanding in 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Congress and the Left Front fought together for the first time in 2016 when Congress won 44 seats and the CPI(M) got 26. In 2021, the Left Front and the Congress drew a blank. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Congress managed to win one seat while the Left did not win any. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, both fought against each other with Congress winning two and the Left none.

“In Bengal, the party will work for the defeat of both the TMC and the BJP, which are trying to polarise the society. We will try to rally all the forces that are ready to work against them,” the CPI(M) said in a statement without naming Congress by name. Senior leaders said there is no change in its strategy of pooling all non-BJP, non-TMC votes.

However, the party was critical of the Congress in Kerala where both will fight against each other.

The CPI(M) said it would "expose the BJP-led Union government’s denial of rightful dues to Kerala, the fiscal constraints imposed and the overall attack on federalism" as also "expose the failure of the Congress to effectively counter this attack on federalism, as the largest opposition party in the Parliament".

"The Congress, especially in Kerala, was found wanting in the fight against communal RSS-BJP, ideologically and this will also be exposed before the people," it added.

In Assam, it said, the CPI(M) will work for the mobilisation of all the anti-BJP parties and forces and defeat the rabidly communal and divisive BJP government. The Left parties are cooperating with Congress in the north-eastern state. In Puducherry, it said it will work for the defeat of the BJP alliance government.