Cricket

England and Sri Lanka are set to face off in the second Test of their three-match series at Lord's, with the hosts looking to extend their winning streak to five while the visitors aim to level the series.Sri Lanka, despite losing the first Test at Old Trafford, showed resilience and determination, particularly in their batting. Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando were standout performers, with Mendis scoring a century and Fernando taking five wickets.England, on the other hand, had to work hard for their victory, with Joe Root anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 62. The hosts also benefited from a controversial ball-change, which allowed them to exploit the reverse swing generated by Fernando.Sri Lanka will be hoping to capitalize on their improved form and the favorable weather conditions at Lord's. They have a strong record at the venue, having drawn five of their eight previous Tests there. Dimuth Karunaratne, who has struggled for runs in recent times, will be keen to make a significant contribution.England, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue their dominance in home Tests. Ollie Pope, who has taken over the captaincy from Ben Stokes, will be eager to prove his credentials as a leader and batsman.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka's batting depth and England's bowling attack will be key factors in determining the outcome.

Dhoni's DRS Prowess: A Testament to His Uncanny Cricket AcumenMahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has earned a reputation as one of the greatest wicket-keepers of all time. His razor-sharp judgment and uncanny ability to make match-defining decisions have made him a formidable force behind the stumps.Recently, India umpire Anil Choudhary shared his insights on Dhoni's exceptional reviewing skills. Choudhary, who has witnessed Dhoni's brilliance firsthand, emphasized the former captain's remarkable accuracy in DRS (Decision Review System) calls."He is very accurate, almost close to accurate," Choudhary said, highlighting Dhoni's ability to make correct judgments even in high-pressure situations. "His instinct and cricketing brain have set him apart over the years."Choudhary acknowledged that while Dhoni's decisions are not infallible, they are rarely off the mark. This has added to his aura on the field and earned him the humorous moniker "Dhoni Review System" among fans and experts.The veteran umpire explained the unique challenges wicket-keepers face when making DRS calls. "Sometimes, the keeper stays behind and can't see the position of the bowler," Choudhary said. "But Dhoni is very reasonable and makes decisions based on what he can see."Dhoni's remarkable accuracy with DRS calls has led to numerous match-defining decisions in favor of India and his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His ability to analyze the situation quickly and make the right call has often turned the tide of matches.As Dhoni's legacy continues to inspire, the term "Dhoni Review System" seems less of a joke and more of a fitting tribute to a player who revolutionized the way the game is played and analyzed. His uncanny cricket acumen and ability to make crucial decisions under pressure have cemented his status as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest Test rankings, with significant changes in both the batting and bowling categories.Batting:Virat Kohli has climbed two spots to eighth, while Rohit Sharma has dropped one place to sixth. Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a notable jump to seventh. England's Joe Root remains at the top, with Harry Brook moving up to fourth after his impressive performance against Sri Lanka.Pakistan's Babar Azam has slipped six places to ninth, while Mohammad Rizwan has risen to a career-best tied-10th. Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim has also achieved a career-high ranking of 17th.Bowling:India's Ravichandran Ashwin continues to dominate as the top-ranked bowler in Test cricket. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja maintain their positions at third and seventh, respectively.England's Chris Woakes has moved up four places to 16th, and Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando has climbed 10 spots to 17th. Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah and England's Gus Atkinson have both achieved career-best ratings.All-Rounders:Indian players continue to dominate the all-rounder rankings. Ravindra Jadeja remains at the top, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin. Axar Patel is ranked sixth.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, is currently enjoying a well-deserved break from international cricket. Having last played in an ODI series against Sri Lanka, Kohli is now spending quality time with his family. His illustrious career, spanning nearly two decades, has cemented his status as one of the greatest batters of all time.Kohli's journey to the pinnacle of cricket began with the 2008 U-19 World Cup. Similarly, another promising young top-order batter, Shubman Gill, embarked on his international journey with the 2018 edition of the U-19 World Cup. Gill has been hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, and together with Kohli, they form a formidable top order.However, a recent fake video has surfaced online, causing a stir among cricket fans. The video features Kohli allegedly blasting Gill, claiming that there's a "big gap between showing promise and becoming a legend." Kohli also reportedly compares himself to Sachin Tendulkar. The comments in the video appear to be lip-synced, and the video has gone viral, sparking concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI).Despite the fake video, Kohli remains a respected figure in Indian cricket. He recently moved up two rungs to eighth place in the latest ICC Test rankings, while his captain Rohit Sharma dropped a spot to sixth. Young Yashasvi Jaiswal also made a significant jump, moving up to seventh place.In the ICC Test rankings, England's Joe Root remains the top-ranked batter, followed by Harry Brook, who has made a massive jump to fourth place. Pakistan's Babar Azam has dropped to ninth place, while Mohammad Rizwan has achieved a new career-high rating by moving into the top 10.Among bowlers, India's Ravichandran Ashwin continues to hold the top spot, while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja maintain their third and seventh positions, respectively. England's Chris Woakes and Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando have gained ground, while Pakistan's Naseem Shah and England's Gus Atkinson have attained career-best ratings.In the all-rounders' rankings, Jadeja and Ashwin continue to occupy the top two spots, with Axar Patel ranked sixth.

England's Harry Brook has ascended to the fourth position in the ICC Test batting rankings, a testament to his impressive performances in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. Brook's contributions of 56 and 32 at Old Trafford have propelled him up three spots, surpassing the likes of Babar Azam, Steven Smith, and Rohit Sharma.Joe Root remains the undisputed leader in the Test batting rankings, followed by Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell. Babar Azam's recent struggles have seen him drop six places to ninth, while Mohammad Rizwan's heroics in Pakistan's loss to Bangladesh have earned him a seven-spot jump to joint 10th with Usman Khawaja.Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim has achieved a career-high rating after his match-winning 191 against Pakistan, moving up seven spots to 17th. Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya has also made strides, climbing one place to ninth among Test bowlers after his five-wicket haul in Manchester.In the T20I rankings, West Indies' Nicholas Pooran has risen three places to ninth among batters following their 3-0 sweep of South Africa. Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie have also made significant gains, moving up to second and third spots respectively among bowlers, behind only England's Adil Rashid.These rankings reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket, with players constantly vying for supremacy. Brook's rise and Babar Azam's decline serve as reminders that form and consistency are crucial factors in determining the best players in the world.

Yash Dhull, the former captain of India's U-19 team, is making a cautious return to the field after undergoing heart surgery earlier this year. The 21-year-old cricketer had a congenital heart condition that required surgical intervention, which was promptly addressed after being discovered during a routine check-up at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.During the NCA check-up, the medical team detected a congenital condition - a hole in Dhull's heart. The NCA's medical team advised immediate surgery, which Dhull underwent in Delhi. According to a News18 report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ensured he received the best possible care and monitored his recovery closely."During the NCA check-up, the team, after consulting with a set of doctors, advised him to undergo surgery for the hole in his heart," said Pradeep Kochar, Dhull's childhood coach. "He was attending a camp with the rest of the emerging players a couple of months back in Bengaluru. The surgery went well, and Yash has been on a steady path to recovery."Dhull's father, Vijay, explained that the condition was congenital and the surgery was necessary for his son's long-term health and cricket career. "It wasn’t anything serious. The hole in the heart was a condition from birth, and the NCA team advised a minor surgical procedure. He underwent that in Delhi, and the BCCI continued to keep a check on him during the period," said Vijay.Since receiving a fitness certificate from the NCA, Dhull has been gradually rejoining competitive cricket. He has been playing in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), but his performances have been subdued, reflecting his ongoing recovery process."Certain things have happened in the past, and I have returned after a recovery. It’s taking time, but I am positive and will give 100 percent for my game," Dhull said after a recent DPL match.Despite the slow start, Dhull's determination has impressed both his coaches and teammates. "The NCA has given him the certificate of fitness, so there shouldn’t be an issue in any of the formats going forward. Even going forward, there shouldn’t be any problem for him to play the Ranji Trophy and the longer formats," Kochar asserted, expressing confidence in Dhull's ability to bounce back fully.Dhull's journey back to the cricket field after heart surgery has highlighted his courage and dedication. As he continues to work on his fitness and form, the cricketing fraternity remains hopeful that he will soon return to his best, fulfilling the immense potential he has shown at a young age.

The Big Bash League (BBL) and Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) have released their respective lists of nominations for the upcoming draft, scheduled for September 1. The BBL list features 432 players, while the WBBL list includes 161 players.BBL Nominations:The Adelaide Strikers have retained Adam Hose, Jamie Overton, and David Payne. The Brisbane Heat have retained Paul Walter and Tom Banton. The Hobart Hurricanes have retained Corey Anderson and Sam Hain. The Melbourne Renegades have retained Joe Clarke, Jordan Cox, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The Melbourne Stars have retained Dan Lawrence, Imad Wasim, Liam Dawson, Olly Stone, Usama Mir, and Haris Rauf. The Perth Scorchers have retained Zak Crawley, Stephen Eskinazi, Laurie Evans, and Tymal Mills. The Sydney Sixers have retained Izharulhuq Naveed, Rehan Ahmed, and James Vince. The Sydney Thunder have retained Alex Hales, Zaman Khan, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.WBBL Nominations:The Adelaide Strikers have retained Georgia Adams and Laura Wolvaardt. The Brisbane Heat have retained Bess Heath. The Hobart Hurricanes have retained Shabnim Ismail and Bryony Smit. The Melbourne Renegades have retained Eve Jones and Harmanpreet Kaur. The Melbourne Stars have retained Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley. The Perth Scorchers have retained Amy Jones, Lauren Winfield-Hill, and Danni Wyatt. The Sydney Sixers have retained Suzie Bates, Sophie Ecclestone, Jess Kerr, Chloe Tryon, and Linsey Smith. The Sydney Thunder have retained Heather Knight.

The West Indies cricket team celebrated a resounding 3-0 series sweep against South Africa in the T20 International series, culminating in an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the final match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. The match was marred by rain, but the West Indies emerged triumphant, showcasing their resilience and dominance on home soil.Shai Hope led the charge for the West Indies, smashing an unbeaten 42 off just 24 deliveries. Nicholas Pooran provided valuable support with a rapid 35 off 13 balls. The revised target of 116 in 13 overs, set by the Duckworth-Lewis method, proved to be no match for the West Indies' aggressive batting approach. They reached the target in a mere 9.2 overs, hitting nine sixes and seven fours in the process.South Africa, batting first in the rain-shortened game, managed to post a modest 108-4 in their allotted 13 overs. Romario Shepherd's disciplined bowling played a crucial role in restricting South Africa's scoring, earning him the Man of the Match award. Shepherd's two overs yielded just 14 runs and two wickets.The West Indies' victory was a testament to their aggressive batting strategy in the shortened game. Captain Roston Chase praised his team's performance, saying, "We wanted to win the series 3-0. In a shortened game, we want guys to go and play their natural game. The guys came out and played brilliantly."South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, acknowledged the challenges faced by his team but remained optimistic about future improvement. "Tough one today," Markram admitted. "Probably got the tougher of the conditions. That being said, we can improve as a team. It's going to take a little bit of time; there's a bit we can take from it, but it's never great to lose."The series win marks a resurgence for the West Indies, who displayed their resilience and skill to dominate South Africa and complete the clean sweep. It is a significant achievement for the team, who had previously suffered a disappointing loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup.

TNCA XI, led by three half-centurions, put up a formidable 294 for five on the opening day of the Buchi Babu tournament fixture against Mumbai in Chennai.Pradosh Ranjan Paul (65 off 87 balls) and B. Indrajith (61 off 115 balls) shared a 74-run stand for the third wicket, while No. 5 batter Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (63 not out off 121 balls) remained unbeaten at stumps.Paul, known for his late cuts and quick running, played a patient innings, hitting four boundaries and seven twos. He was eventually trapped in front of the wicket by Tanush Kotian.Indrajith, who has been in impressive form with three consecutive fifty-plus scores, was dismissed by off-spinner Himanshu Singh after a chanceless knock.The day's proceedings were briefly interrupted by a drizzle in the afternoon. However, the highlight of the day came at the end of the 90th over.Shreyas Iyer, bowling with an action similar to Sunil Narine, was fielding in the deep-midwicket boundary. Suryakumar Yadav, who was fielding nearby, was swarmed by young fans seeking autographs and pictures.Undeterred, Iyer continued to bowl while Yadav obliged as many requests as possible. As the final ball of the day was bowled, R. Sonu Yadav deposited it over Suryakumar's head, sending the fans into a frenzy.The match is poised for an exciting second day at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground.