The Buzz: Virat Kohli's home-made haircut

All the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond

23-Mar-2020

All the world's cricketers walked into a bar. The LOLs, the chatter, and the occasional mini-brawls, they were endless. And the news cycle was never the same again! Welcome to ESPNcricinfo's Social Buzz, your go-to destination for all the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond.

March 29

What do you do if, after several days of lockdown, you wake up to find your usually carefully groomed hair has been reduced to unruly locks that keep getting in your eyes? Well, you ask your partner to give you a trim, of course. Such was the case, it seems, at the Kohli-Sharma household.

Meanwhile, in quarantine.. pic.twitter.com/XO0UJ7NmSU
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) March 28, 2020

March 28

Punter gets shirty

We're all in the nostalgia game now, but not everyone has quite so much top-quality stash as Ricky Ponting. Here he takes us back to a simpler time, when the Australia team didn't need documentaries to be made about them.

When I captained my first Test the boys signed this shirt and left messages. I remember this Test most for the brilliant batting from @damienmartyn and @darren_lehmann in what were very tough conditions. pic.twitter.com/LpUzgxIXzp
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) March 28, 2020

March 27

Mark Wood's #StayInWorkOut dance challenge

We admire the sentiment, we really do... but we also hope Mark Wood cleared his dance routine with the England medical team.

During a hugely challenging time for us all, our players have been looking at ways to stay active at home.

They want to share with you their tips to hopefully brighten up your day.

First up, a dance challenge from @MAWood33! #StayHomeSaveLives #StayInWorkOut pic.twitter.com/Io3Mz3IW3R
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 27, 2020

Liam Plunkett's response, meanwhile, is something else. The invite from Strictly surely won't take long...

View this post on Instagram

@englandcricket Challenge Accepted. @MAWood33 here's some chariots of fire for your sexy kitten. An old school response to your new school of dance. #stayhome #stayhealthy I nominate @jasonroy20 @david_willey72 @chriswoakes good look fellas

A post shared by Liam Plunkett (@pudsy190) on Mar 27, 2020 at 10:46am PDT

Kane Williamson plays cricket with his dog

Lockdowns, isolation, quarantine, no cricket, endless work-from-home days - we can survive it all as long as Kane Williamson, back to being baby-faced, shares videos of backyard cricket with his dog. Is everyone as impressed with how Sandy never takes her eyes off the ball as we are? New Zealand Cricket, need a (totally adorable) slips coach?

View this post on Instagram

Sandy in the slips! Any other dogs out there joining Sandy? #caninecordon #daytwoisolation

A post shared by Kane Williamson (@kane_s_w) on Mar 27, 2020 at 2:46am PDT

But our UK editor, Andrew Miller, is not impressed with Sandy's feat. Can she match his cat Lola's composure under pressure? (What we want to know is: how many scratches do you have on your face, Miller?)

Fire in Cattylon: FEROCIOUS fast-bowling duel coming up... Sound up for Greig and Boycott's iconic commentary #CatCricket pic.twitter.com/ysAD0fa2F8
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) March 27, 2020

Is Aaron Finch retiring?

Fox Cricket certainly seems to think so. As a bit of fun they totted up a 2023 World Cup XI for Australia, and one name was conspicuously absent.

https://t.co/wAWKN86sMo
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) March 27, 2020

Batting partner David Warner, who did make the XI, was simultaneously amused, and not.

Baha @AaronFinch5 have you told them you're retiring. Stiff, #Fakenews disappointing IMO https://t.co/NN3tyuLJ3X
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 27, 2020

Time to learn a new skill?

Jasprit Bumrah has a new lockdown-imposed hobby. What's yours?

Using this time to reflect on the aspects of my life that are truly important and picking up some new hobbies along the way. #AmateurGardener #StayHome pic.twitter.com/DVWEp9pPwv
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) March 27, 2020

Aleem Dar offers free food to those in need

While many of us have the luxury to work from home in these times, there are several others who are vulnerable, either having to step out for work or losing their jobs entirely. In Lahore, umpire Aleem Dar is looking out for some of those people by offering free food to those without jobs.

restaurant "Dar's Delighto" will be offering free food for jobless people, especially labourers, during the current lockdown in the city of Lahore.#CRICKET https://t.co/hQUS8H4Xmy
— Aleem Dar (@AleemDarUmpire) March 26, 2020

March 26

How to keep fit during a lockdown

How are Pakistan cricketers keeping their skills honed during lockdown?

Babar Azam is utilising his at-home gym (which Jimmy Neesham would have loved to have - see below).

Burn you comfort zone out. This is where the magic starts.

Here are some glimpses from my work out at home. Drop your videos/messages in comments and tell me how you are keeping yourself fit in this time of #PhysicalDistancing. Stay safe!#RiseAndRise pic.twitter.com/furDNKbOH8
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) March 26, 2020

For Haider Ali, no bowler, no problem.

Here is how our rising star @iamhaideraly is spending his time at home.

How you are spending your time. Send in your videos in comments below #letsbeatCOVID19 #StayHomeaStaySafe pic.twitter.com/XBudWjdn6f
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 24, 2020

And Fatima Sana has an exercise routine that's making our arms hurt just to watch.

#QuarantineLife #StaySafeSaveLives #COVIDー19 #sportslife pic.twitter.com/LkbNGJoYzL
— FatimaSana (@fatimasana_14) March 23, 2020

We should all aspire to Brendon McCullum's routine though - the snakes-and-ladders shuffle between a beer tap and the gym. Or, as Jimmy Neesham calls it, life.

As opposed to the other 48 weeks of the year? https://t.co/9Cp4FJzLkv</a>
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 25, 2020</a>

March 25

Step out and you'll be mankaded

Just wondering if this ends the mankad debate once and for all.

Hahaha, somebody sent me this and told me it's exactly been 1 year since this run out happened.

As the nation goes into a lockdown, this is a good reminder to my citizens.

Don't wander out. Stay inside, stay safe! #21DayLockdown pic.twitter.com/bSN1454kFt
— lets stay indoors India (@ashwinravi99) March 25, 2020

Shikhar Dhawan does chores around the house

So nice of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan to point out how women have unfairly borne the larger burden of housework all these years.

I hear you @SDhawan25 https://t.co/lnPParxBft
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 24, 2020

Teaching your dad a new skill

Alex Hartley gets some cool cred while she works on her footwork. We're totally loving Dad togged up in a suit and tie for a TikTok video!

Day 1 of lockdown got me 'forcing' my dad into making a TikTok. #tiktok #dancechallenge @Davidh442 pic.twitter.com/SSAQjtKGRw
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) March 24, 2020

March 24

Jack Leach's No. 11 rallying cry

To be fair, Jack Leach is man who knows a bit about staying in when the situation calls for it...

Being boring is boring guys! But if it gets the job done it's definitely worth it! We are all batting at 11 so let's not get ahead of ourselves and start playing shots. Defend your stumps. One ball at a time and let Stokes do his thing #StayAtHome https://t.co/TLudq6gVcc
— Jack Leach (@jackleach1991) March 24, 2020

Stanning Sodhi's rap about the coronavirus

Ish Sodhi's got an alternative way of making money while the cricket's off. Are the record labels listening? Sign him up!

View this post on Instagram

Self-Ic3lation, track one Cabin Fever Album

A post shared by Ish Sodhi (@ic3_odi) on Mar 21, 2020 at 7:49pm PDT

March 23

A Ricky Ponting classic

Thank goodness for Ricky Ponting, who is set to go through some of his career mementos to pass the time over the coming days. First up, one for bat nuffies: his 2003 World Cup final stick. Plenty of white on that middle...

Given we've all got a bit of time on our hands as we stay at home, thought I'd go through what I've kept from my career and share some of it with everyone on a regular basis - this is the bat I used in the 2003 World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/meoBP6NJvg
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) March 23, 2020

Mickleburgh's masterclass

Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach?

Hows your online coaching videos going? pic.twitter.com/Ir9KEM2bMX
— Jaik Mickleburgh (@JaikM32) March 22, 2020

Shreyas Iyer becomes invisible man

Oh god! What dark magic is this?

Betty here, Betty there. Shreyas here, Shreyas where?!? pic.twitter.com/j7jKh8w9sC
— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) March 23, 2020

Setting up an at-home gym

Jimmy Neesham is being responsible about social-distancing but also conscientious about staying fit. That's why we love him so much.

Are there any gym owners/operators in Auckland that would be willing to part with some equipment during the lockdown? I will pick up/drop off and compensate of course, and return as soon as you need it back
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 23, 2020

Missed all the chatter last week? Catch up on it here