Cricket

Team India's ODI captain Rohit Sharma is gearing up for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on August 2. Sharma has been diligently practicing in the nets, honing his batting skills, as evident from the photographs he shared on social media.The Indian team's tour of Sri Lanka commenced on July 27 with the Twenty20 International (T20I) series. India made a strong start, winning the first T20I by 43 runs. The subsequent T20I saw India clinch a victory by seven wickets in a rain-shortened match. The T20I matches were hosted at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI series will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with matches scheduled for August 2, August 4, and August 7.Sharma's return to the Indian squad marks his first appearance since leading the team to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup. In the tournament, Sharma played a pivotal role, amassing 257 runs across eight games, with an average of 36.71 and a strike rate exceeding 156. His highest score was 92, and he hit three half-centuries, making him the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.Sharma's last ODI appearance was during the ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad in November last year, which resulted in a loss for India. Currently, Sharma is on the cusp of achieving significant milestones in his ODI career. He is 291 runs short of joining the elite group of Indian cricketers with over 11,000 ODI runs. Furthermore, he requires just 60 more runs to surpass former Indian batter and head coach Rahul Dravid as the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs. To date, Sharma has played 262 matches, scoring 10,709 runs at an average of 49.12. His record includes 31 centuries and 55 fifties, with a highest score of 264.

Mumbai Indians' Batting Practice Causes Rs 40,000 DamageMumbai Indians' batters have been hitting the ball with such force during their net practice sessions that they have caused significant damage to pitch-side cameras, resulting in a hefty Rs 40,000 repair bill for the franchise.In a video shared on Mumbai Indians' social media platform, the franchise revealed the extent of the damage, with big hitters like Tim David and Suryakumar Yadav sending balls crashing into the cameras. The caption of the video, "this reel cost us 40k to make," humorously highlights the unintended consequences of their powerful batting.The incident underscores the challenges faced by Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite securing three victories in their last four games, the team has struggled with inconsistency and currently languishes in eighth place on the points table.While the batting has shown occasional promise, the bowling remains a significant concern. Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer, leading the attack with 13 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.37. However, new recruit Gerald Coetzee has been inconsistent in his debut IPL season, taking 12 wickets in eight matches but with an economy rate of 10.10.As Mumbai Indians prepare to face Delhi Capitals on Saturday, they will need to address their bowling woes and find a way to contain the opposition's dangerous batting lineup. The match will be a crucial test for the team's hopes of making a late surge into the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has taken it upon himself to address his team's batting woes. With MI struggling to make the IPL playoffs due to inconsistent batting performances, Bumrah has been practicing his batting skills in the nets.In a video shared by MI's official social media handle, Bumrah is seen hitting some big shots during a net practice session ahead of their clash with Delhi Capitals on Saturday. The video highlights Bumrah's determination to contribute to the team's performance beyond his role as a bowler.Bumrah's batting practice comes as MI faces a crucial match against DC, who are currently sixth in the points table with eight points. MI, on the other hand, is eighth with six points. In their previous match, MI suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals.Despite MI's batting struggles, Bumrah has been in impressive form with the ball this season. He has claimed 13 wickets at an average of 15.69 and an economy rate of 6.37. His best bowling figures stand at 5/21, and he currently holds the 'Purple Cap' for being the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.Bumrah's batting practice is a testament to his commitment to the team and his willingness to go the extra mile to help MI succeed. It remains to be seen whether Bumrah's batting skills will translate into runs on the field, but his efforts have certainly boosted the team's morale.