Cricket

The third and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka is set to commence, with the match referee Ranjan Madugalle officiating his 400th ODI. India, led by Rohit Sharma, has made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag for KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh. Sri Lanka, captained by Charith Asalanka, has opted to bat first after winning the toss.The match is expected to be a low-scoring encounter, with assistance for spinners. In the previous ODI, a leggie who was not even in the original squad troubled the Indian batsmen, dismissing five batters LBW. India is facing the prospect of its first bilateral ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka in 27 years after losing the second ODI by 32 runs.India's batting performance has been lackluster, failing to tackle the Lankan spin attack. The team has addressed the need for improvement and is determined to perform better in the final match. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been in good form and will look to continue their winning ways.The match will be played under pleasant weather conditions, with slight cloudy cover. The outcome of the match will be crucial for both teams, as India seeks to avoid a series defeat and Sri Lanka aims to secure a series victory.

With the ODI series against Sri Lanka hanging in the balance, the Indian cricket team intensified their preparations on Tuesday ahead of the crucial third and final ODI in Colombo on Wednesday. The first ODI ended in a thrilling tie last Friday, while Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the second ODI by 32 runs on Sunday.Under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, India is determined to avoid their first series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video on their official Twitter handle showcasing the Rohit Sharma-led team practicing diligently under the watchful eyes of interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate, and Abhishek Nayar.Bahutule emphasized the team's focus on addressing areas of improvement, particularly in bowling. "We've been working on certain areas that we need to improve on, and the bowlers have been trying to implement a specific pattern of bowling," he said. "We're trying to find solutions to match that and overcome the challenges."According to reports, Rohit Sharma participated in practice but did not bat. Rishabh Pant showcased his aggressive batting against the spinners in the nets, while Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul had extended batting sessions. Notably, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh did not bowl during the practice session.Ryan ten Doeschate highlighted the team's efforts to learn from their mistakes in the first two games. "We're trying to be specific and learn from the mistakes we made in the first couple of games," he said. "The conditions have been tough, but the guys have come up with their own plans. We're trying to create a positive environment where the players can express themselves and showcase their abilities."With the second match ending in a loss, India faces a dilemma between fielding their strongest XI or experimenting ahead of the next major ICC tournament, which is scheduled to take place in just six months.Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the setback. "As Indians, we are emotional people," he said. "When we don't get the results we want, it brings out the passion and integrity of each individual. Every cricketer in that dressing room knows what's at stake, and that often brings out the best in the team."A loss in the third ODI would be a disappointing outcome for the newly appointed Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff, who took over a team that had been performing exceptionally well in ODI cricket less than a year ago. Despite their early success, they would be eager to avoid ending their two-week tour of Sri Lanka with more questions than answers.

The passing of Aunshuman Gaekwad has reignited the spotlight on a fundamental aspect of sports: the significance of courage and unwavering determination. In an era when batters faced some of the fastest bowlers in history without helmets, safety regulations, or impartial umpires, the likes of Gaekwad, Sunil Gavaskar, and Jimmy Amarnath stood tall.Gavaskar, a legend in his own right, recalls playing alongside three of the bravest cricketers in Indian history: Solkar, Amarnath, and Gaekwad. Each of these players could have said the same about Gavaskar, a testament to their mutual respect and admiration.The essence of sport lies in courage. During India's 1983 tour of the West Indies, they faced a formidable bowling attack led by Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, and Joel Garner. Despite not being at his best, Gavaskar managed a century, having earlier been struck on the head by Marshall. It was a rare occurrence for the opener to be hit, but it highlighted the immense skill and resilience required to survive against such pace.Amarnath, known for his aggressive batting style, scored 598 runs in that series, hooking the bowlers with abandon. For a brief period, he was considered the best batter in the world.Other Indian cricketers who have displayed exceptional bravery include C.K. Nayudu, who continued batting after being hit in the mouth by a fast bowler in a Ranji Trophy final. Leg spinner Anil Kumble, with a broken jaw, bowled 14 consecutive overs in the Antigua Test of 2002, becoming the first bowler to dismiss Brian Lara while bowling with a fractured jaw.Eknath Solkar, a fearless fielder, converted what batters thought were safe shots into brilliant catches at short leg. The spin quartet of the time – Bishan Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and Srinivas Venkatraghavan – often credited Solkar's close-in catching for their success.Nari Contractor, who turned 90 this year, had his skull fractured by a Charlie Griffith delivery in the West Indies. Remarkably, he returned to play first-class cricket.Tiger Pataudi, a true icon of Indian cricket, lost an eye in a car accident but returned to Test cricket within five months and led the country within eight months. His courage and determination were unparalleled.The stories of these brave cricketers serve as a reminder that the essence of sport lies in the ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure. Their legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and fans alike.

Sri Lanka's stunning victory over India in the second ODI has set the stage for a thrilling series decider. Despite missing key players and facing a formidable Indian side, the hosts have shown remarkable resilience and determination.The match was dominated by spin, with the Khettarama Stadium's conditions favoring the slower bowlers. Jeffrey Vandersay emerged as the hero for Sri Lanka, claiming a sensational six-wicket haul to dismantle India's batting line-up. The visitors, who had looked comfortable at 150 for 6, collapsed to 225 all out.India's struggles against spin have become a major concern. Barring Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel, none of the other batters have looked at ease against the tweakers. The Indian team management will need to address this weakness before the series finale.Another area of concern for India is their inability to close out innings. In both games, they have allowed the Sri Lankan lower order to wag after having them six down for less than 150. This has resulted in totals above 200, which has proved challenging to chase.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have shown great character and adaptability. Despite losing Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of the second game, they have managed to secure a 1-0 lead. The team's performance has been a testament to the depth and talent within their squad.The series decider on Wednesday will be a crucial test for both teams. India will be desperate to avoid a series defeat, while Sri Lanka will be aiming to end a 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against the Men in Blue in ODIs.The match is expected to be another close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka will be hoping to exploit India's spin vulnerability, while India will need to find a way to counter the hosts' spinners and close out the innings effectively.

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in a nail-biting last-ball thriller against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a three-run victory to ascend to the top of the table.Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, once again proved to be the match-winner for the Invincibles, showcasing his exceptional skills with both bat and ball. Curran's blistering knock of 68 runs from 38 deliveries, including six towering sixes, propelled the Invincibles to a competitive total of 164 for 8.Manchester Originals, despite a promising start, faltered in their chase, falling short by a mere three runs. Young opener Matthew Hurst impressed with a scintillating 50 from 29 balls, but his dismissal triggered a collapse in the Originals' batting lineup.Curran's heroics with the ball were equally impressive. He conceded just three runs from the final five deliveries of the match, ensuring the Invincibles' victory. His two wickets, along with the contributions of Will Jacks (2-16) and Adam Zampa (2-30), proved crucial in restricting the Originals to 161 for 7.The defeat extinguished the Originals' hopes of reaching the knockout stage, while the Invincibles extended their winning streak and cemented their position as title contenders. Curran's consistent brilliance has been a key factor in the Invincibles' success, and his ability to perform under pressure has earned him widespread admiration."I thought with the ball it felt like we bowled really well," Curran said after the match. "I think our success at the moment is just the self-belief. Everyone is able to step up and it can always be someone different. The Hundred format is good because you can always feel in the game."

India's dominance over Sri Lanka in bilateral series has been a long-standing tradition, with India remaining undefeated since 1997. However, the recent two-match series has thrown a curveball, with Sri Lanka emerging victorious in both encounters.Despite India's recent dominance, their batting performance in this series has been underwhelming. The middle order, in particular, has struggled, with no batter at positions 3, 4, 5, or 6 accumulating even 40 runs.Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach in the powerplay and Axar Patel's contributions from No. 7 have been the saving graces for India's batting. However, Washington Sundar, an India player, has defended his team's batting prowess, attributing their struggles to the challenging spin-friendly pitches."We're quality players of spin," Sundar asserted. "We've always played on these kinds of pitches, even at home, even in Test matches. In domestic cricket, we play a lot of games on such wickets."Sri Lanka's lower-middle order batters, particularly Dunith Wellalage, have played a crucial role in their victories, forming vital partnerships in the last 10 overs. India's inability to prevent these partnerships has been a major factor in their downfall."We'd love to get them out for 200 or less than that," Sundar said. "We had them in that situation in both matches. With big tournaments coming up, we'll be in similar situations, and it's an opportunity for us to find a way to get the job done in crunch situations."India's batting has also faced challenges against Sri Lanka's unusual bowling attack, which includes a finger spinner who can bowl with either arm and a mystery spinner who bowls a mix of offbreaks, googlies, and legbreaks. India has attempted to counter this by maintaining a left-right combination at the crease, but the strategy has yet to fully succeed.Coach Gautam Gambhir has been actively involved in helping the team develop their strategy against spin. "There's been a lot of inputs from [Gambhir]," Sundar said. "He's a high-quality player of spin. We've always seen him putting up great performances on such wickets, especially against quality spin-bowling."As India prepares for the Champions Trophy, where they may face similar spin-friendly conditions, the team is determined to improve their performance and regain their dominance over Sri Lanka.

The once-fierce rivalry between South Africa and West Indies has waned in recent years, with South Africa dominating the head-to-head record. However, as both teams enter a rebuilding phase amidst the expansion of T20 leagues, the upcoming Test series in Port of Spain promises to be more competitive than it has been in decades.South Africa, once a formidable force in away Tests, has lost its edge in recent years. Their provincial players have limited red-ball experience, and the team has prioritized investing in lucrative T20 cricket. In contrast, West Indies continues to invest in developing their first-class game, despite the high costs associated with their island geography.Despite their domestic system's challenges, West Indies has shown signs of improvement. They defeated Australia in a Test earlier this year and have not lost a series against a World Test Championship team since 2022. South Africa, on the other hand, has not won a Test series against England since 2012 and recently lost a series to New Zealand.Both teams have similar personnel profiles, with young batters looking to establish themselves and experienced seamers leading the attack. West Indies will rely on Kavem Hodge, who has been their most consistent performer in recent Tests. South Africa will look to David Bedingham, who has been in exceptional form in the county circuit.The pitch in Port of Spain is expected to be slow and dry, favoring spinners. Both teams have the option of playing an extra spinner, but they may also consider a fourth seamer to counter the threat of rain.With both teams desperate for points in the World Test Championship cycle, the upcoming series promises to be a hard-fought contest. It could mark the beginning of a more competitive rivalry between these two historic cricketing nations.

After suffering a 32-run defeat in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, India's all-rounder Washington Sundar has emphasized the significance of the upcoming third and final ODI. This match presents a crucial opportunity for the team to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by spin bowling in difficult conditions, an experience that will be invaluable in preparation for the forthcoming Champions Trophy next year.Sundar acknowledged the team's struggles against Sri Lanka's spinners, which have put India on the brink of its first bilateral ODI series loss to the island nation in 27 years. However, he expressed optimism about the team's ability to navigate through critical situations and learn from the series to improve performance."It is an opportunity for us to go out there and put our hands up and win those critical situations," Sundar said. "Obviously, with the big tournaments coming up, we will be in similar situations and it will be important to find ways as to what we can do to win those critical situations especially in similar conditions against quality spin attack."Sundar defended the team's batting against spin, asserting that the players are adept at playing in such conditions, given their extensive experience in domestic and international cricket. He also mentioned the tactical adjustments the team has made following input from new head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is renowned for his proficiency against spin."We are quality players of spin. We've always played in these kinds of wickets, even at home, in Test matches, and in different formats," Sundar said. "Even domestic cricket, we play a lot of games in such wickets. And we know a lot of our players have done really well, especially in the middle order, batting against spin. So it's just a matter of finding a way, their own individual self and trying to get the job done."Sundar, who has previously delivered a match-winning performance in a T20I against Sri Lanka, expressed his eagerness to capitalize on opportunities to contribute to the team, particularly with the bat during crucial moments of the game."I am someone who works hard and tries to find ways to be successful and to be an asset to the team," Sundar said. "That way when I was thinking about my bowling, I had to do certain things, slightly different, not huge changes, but just to add a couple of more things and do certain things more often and more efficiently."

Ryan Harris, a former Australian fast bowler, has been appointed as the new head coach of South Australia's men's cricket team. Harris, who played for South Australia during his playing career, has been serving as the interim head coach since Jason Gillespie's departure earlier this year.Harris' appointment comes after a thorough recruitment process, and he will take over the role full-time immediately as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The decision to split the head coach role for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) has not yet been confirmed, but it is understood that this is becoming increasingly likely.Harris expressed his excitement and honor at being appointed as the head coach of South Australia, where he began his first-class playing career over two decades ago. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve great things and is eager to build on the progress made last season.Under the leadership of new captain Nathan McSweeney, the South Australian team has developed a strong sense of self-belief. Harris plans to work closely with the players to ensure that they are well-prepared for the upcoming season.South Australia finished fifth in the Sheffield Shield last season, an improvement from their fourth-place finish in 2022-23. However, they finished bottom in the Marsh Cup after reaching the final the previous season.Harris brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. After retiring from playing, he worked with the Australia men's under-19 team at the 2018 and 2020 World Cups. He has also worked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals. Additionally, he had stints as a consultant with the Australian men's team while Justin Langer was coach.In 2021, Harris was appointed as Queensland Cricket's pathway manager. He applied to be the head coach of Australia Women when Matthew Mott left, having had a short-term stint as bowling coach on a tour of New Zealand in 2021. However, he was overlooked for the role and returned to South Australia as their bowling coach.