Cricket

New Zealand Embarks on Sri Lanka Tour with Echoes of 2019As New Zealand prepares to tour Sri Lanka, parallels to their previous visit in 2019 emerge. Back then, the world was on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Sri Lanka was recovering from Rangana Herath's retirement. Today, the pandemic has subsided, and Herath returns as New Zealand's spin-bowling coach.However, similarities abound. Sri Lanka enters the series buoyed by a historic Test win in England, mirroring their 2019 triumph in South Africa. Both tours also coincide with presidential election years.New Zealand's squad remains largely unchanged, with a few retirements and new faces. Despite their third-place ranking in the World Test Championship, they face a daunting task with two Tests in spin-friendly Galle, where they have never won.Sri Lanka has experienced a rollercoaster year, with strong performances against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, followed by a disappointing T20 World Cup and a series win against India. Their recent victory in England has boosted their confidence ahead of this home series.Key Players to Watch:* Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): The left-arm spinner has an exceptional record at Galle, with 53 wickets in 12 innings.* Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand): The all-rounder has shown promise in white-ball cricket and is expected to play a crucial role in the subcontinent.Team News:Sri Lanka is likely to retain their winning combination, with Kusal Mendis taking the gloves and Dinesh Chandimal moving up the order. Ramesh Mendis will provide support to Jayasuriya in the spin department.New Zealand's playing XI is largely settled, with Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel leading the spin attack. The only question mark is the second seam option alongside Tim Southee.Pitch and Conditions:Rain is expected throughout the Test, making winning the toss and batting first crucial. The Galle surface typically deteriorates by days four and five.Stats and Trivia:* Only five teams have opted not to bat first after winning the toss in Galle, with two winning.* Lahiru Kumara is four wickets away from 100 Test wickets.* Henry Nicholls needs 27 runs to reach 3,000 Test runs.* New Zealand has lost all four Tests they have played in Galle.* Tim Southee has taken the most wickets (64) against Sri Lanka among active players.Quotes:"Chandimal took up the gloves and played in the middle order for the sake of the team, but he won't be keeping in this Test, which means he will move up to number three." - Sri Lanka interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya"Having just his experience and knowledge of conditions here in this part of the world, and particularly a ground that he had a lot of success on, has been great." - New Zealand captain Tim Southee on Rangana Herath's expertise.

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes the upcoming two-Test series against India will provide a valuable assessment of his team's international standing. The Tigers are coming off a triumphant 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan, but Hathurusingha acknowledges the challenge posed by India, the current leaders of the World Test Championship (WTC) table."We are encouraged by playing the best team in the world," said Hathurusingha. "Playing against the best always gives you the perception of where you stand, and as sportspersons, we always look forward to it."Hathurusingha praised the "most rounded" Bangladesh squad he has ever seen, featuring eight specialist batters, six bowlers, and two all-rounders. He highlighted the experience of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who played key roles in the Pakistan series."Shakib has always played a huge part in Bangladesh cricket," said Hathurusingha. "He gives us the luxury to balance the team the way we want, thanks to his all-round abilities."Regarding the pitch, Hathurusingha described it as "sporting" but cautioned that it could change significantly during the match.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the coaching style of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Speaking ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Sharma acknowledged the differences between Gambhir's approach and that of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid."Obviously, Rahul bhai, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey were a different team," Sharma said. "It is only acceptable that the new support staff will bring a different perspective."Despite the change in leadership, Sharma emphasized the importance of a good understanding between the captain and coach. "New coaching staff has a different style, but there is no problem," he said. "Good understanding is important, and I have that with Gambhir."Gambhir took over as head coach after Dravid's tenure ended following the T20 World Cup in June. The Chennai Test, beginning on September 19, will be India's first red-ball game under Gambhir's guidance.Sharma expressed optimism about the team's preparations for the series. "We have had a good camp in Bangalore," he said. "We have worked on our skills and strategies, and we are confident of putting up a good performance in Chennai."The Indian captain also praised the Bangladesh team, saying they have improved significantly in recent years. "Bangladesh is a very good team," Sharma said. "They have some quality players, and they will be a tough challenge for us."India will be looking to extend their dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. The two teams have met 12 times in the longest format, with India winning 10 matches and Bangladesh winning only one.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a groundbreaking step towards gender equality in sports by announcing that the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will offer equal prize money to both men and women. This historic decision, made at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2023, marks a significant milestone in the fight for equal pay in major sporting events.The tournament, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will award the winners a staggering $2.34 million, a 134% increase from the $1 million won by Australia in 2023. The runners-up will receive $1.17 million, also a 134% rise from the $500,000 awarded last year.This prize money equality initiative aligns with the ICC's strategic goal of prioritizing the women's game and fostering its growth by 2032. Teams will now earn equal prize money for similar finishing positions in corresponding events and for match wins.Each group stage win will earn teams $31,154. The six teams not reaching the semi-finals will share a pool of $1.35 million based on their finishing positions. Third and fourth-placed teams in each group will receive $270,000, while the fifth-placed teams will get $135,000. All participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $112,500.This prize increase is in line with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 prize fund of $3.5 million. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will commence on October 3 with a match between Bangladesh and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.The ICC's decision to offer equal prize money in the Women's T20 World Cup is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of women's sports. It is a significant step towards breaking down gender barriers and creating a more equitable playing field for all athletes.

Suryakumar Yadav's gravity-defying catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa remains an iconic moment in cricket history. His athleticism and skill turned the tide of the match, propelling India to victory. Inspired by Yadav's brilliance, Pakistani cricketer Saim Ayub attempted a similar catch in the Champions One Day Cup. However, his efforts ended in a comical blunder that has become a viral sensation.During the 18th over of the Dolphins Pakistan innings, Muhammad Akhlaq launched a towering shot towards long off. Ayub, positioned at the boundary, initially secured the catch but then, in an attempt to emulate Yadav's style, fumbled the ball over the ropes, gifting six runs to the opposition.The video of Ayub's misfielding quickly spread across social media, sparking a wave of amusement and mockery. Netizens couldn't resist comparing his failed attempt to Yadav's effortless grace. Ayub's blunder became a trending topic, with users sharing memes and humorous comments.Prior to this incident, Ayub had already gained notoriety for his unsuccessful attempt at a no-look shot, which resulted in his dismissal. His recent catching blunder has further cemented his status as a source of online entertainment.While Ayub's failed catch may have provided a moment of levity, it also highlights the immense skill and athleticism required to execute such spectacular plays. Suryakumar Yadav's catch remains a testament to his exceptional abilities and will continue to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.

Saurabh Netravalkar, a former India U-19 cricketer, has carved a unique path for himself by balancing a successful career in computer science with his passion for cricket. After moving to the United States for higher education, Netravalkar pursued a degree in computer science while continuing to excel in cricket.His exceptional cricketing skills eventually led him to become the captain of the United States national cricket team. Under his leadership, the team has made significant strides on the international stage. Netravalkar's crowning achievement came in the recent T20 World Cup, where he orchestrated a stunning victory over former champions Pakistan.Despite his demanding profession as a Senior Software Engineer at Oracle, Netravalkar remains deeply committed to cricket. In a recent interview, he shared his insights on how he manages to balance his dual passions."It's all about love and passion," Netravalkar explained. "I'm passionate about both tech and cricket, so it doesn't feel like work. I just have to find the time and compartmentalize."Netravalkar believes that his experiences in both fields complement each other. "From tech to cricket, data analytics is becoming increasingly important in strategy," he said. "Knowing how analysis works helps me identify patterns that can make a difference in close games."Conversely, cricket has taught him valuable lessons in resilience and perseverance. "I've learned how to handle failure and bounce back," he said. "That same mindset applies to my work in tech."As a left-arm medium-fast bowler, Netravalkar's ability to swing the ball and maintain a disciplined line and length has made him a formidable asset for the US cricket team. His career trajectory is a testament to his academic excellence and international cricketing achievements.

India's Miraculous Comeback After Adelaide Humiliation: Ashwin Recounts Dressing Room MoodIn the aftermath of India's humiliating 36 all out in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide in 2020, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on the somber mood in the dressing room.Despite holding a 53-run lead in the first innings, India collapsed to their lowest Test score, handing Australia a comfortable victory. The defeat left the team reeling and questioning their chances of winning the series.However, according to Ashwin, head coach Ravi Shastri played a pivotal role in lifting the team's spirits. "The mood in the dressing room was a bit down," Ashwin said. "But Ravi Bhai organized a team dinner and arranged for karaoke. He started singing old Hindi songs, and everybody joined in."With captain Virat Kohli preparing to leave for the birth of his child, the team set modest goals for the remaining Tests. "We were just focusing on doing well in the next Test in Melbourne," Ashwin said. "We kept small targets."What followed was a remarkable turnaround. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, India fought back with determination and resilience. They drew the second Test in Melbourne, won the third Test in Sydney, and triumphed in the fourth Test at the Gabba, where Australia had not lost in 32 years.Ashwin credits the team's unity and belief for their success. "We had a lot of belief in ourselves," he said. "We knew we could do it, and we just kept fighting."India's victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 remains one of the most inspiring stories in cricket history. It showcased the team's ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

South Africa's women's cricket team secured a thrilling ten-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of their three-game T20I series in Multan. Despite a shaky start, the Proteas managed to post a competitive total of 132 for 4, thanks to a crucial half-century from Tazmin Brits and a solid partnership with Sune Luus.Pakistan's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost five wickets for just 47 runs. However, a resilient partnership between Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana brought them back into contention. The duo put on an unbroken 75-run stand, but it ultimately proved insufficient as South Africa held on for a narrow victory.South Africa's innings was anchored by Brits, who scored 56 not out off 49 deliveries. Luus contributed 27 off 27 balls, while Chloe Tryon provided a late cameo with 15 not out off 7. Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain the Proteas, with Sadia Iqbal being the pick of the bunch with figures of 3-34.Pakistan's chase was hampered by a series of early wickets. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka bowled superbly, taking two wickets each. Eighteen-year-old Seshnie Naidu made a memorable debut, taking a stunning catch and dismissing Sadaf Shamas with her second ball.Riaz and Sana played with great determination, but their efforts were not enough to secure victory. Riaz finished on 52 not out off 40 balls, while Sana scored 37 not out off 33. South Africa's fielding was sloppy at times, with three catches being dropped, but they managed to hold on for a hard-fought win.The victory gives South Africa an early advantage in the series. The second match will be played on May 26, followed by the third and final match on May 28.

Emilio Gay, a prolific top-order batsman, will bolster Durham's County Championship campaign as he joins the team on loan for their crucial clash against Surrey at the Kia Oval. This move comes after Durham captain Scott Borthwick was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an elbow injury.Gay, 24, has been in scintillating form for Northamptonshire this season, amassing 919 runs at an impressive average of 57.43 in just ten matches. His standout performance was a career-best 261 against Middlesex in April.Despite being out of contract at the end of the season, Gay has agreed to join Durham on a two-year deal from 2025. However, he has now accelerated his move to the club to feature in their final two Championship matches against Surrey and Kent.Alex Lees will assume the captaincy for Durham for the rest of the season. Gay's arrival is a significant boost for Durham, who currently sit fifth in Division One in their first season back in the top flight after an eight-year absence.Surrey, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their shock defeat to Somerset last week. They currently hold an eight-point lead over Somerset but still have to face Essex in their final match at Chelmsford.Surrey's morale took another hit on Saturday when Somerset also ended their hopes of a domestic double in the T20 Blast semi-final. With England's ongoing white-ball series against Australia limiting player availability, Surrey were without four key players in that contest.They now face the prospect of missing more personnel for the last rounds of the Championship. Gus Atkinson is already ruled out with injury, and Ollie Pope is a particular doubt with England set to depart for their Test series against Pakistan in just over two weeks.