Cricket

India's batting woes have put them on the brink of a series defeat against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI series. The onus is on the Indian batters, particularly Virat Kohli, to step up and counter the spin challenge posed by the Lankan bowlers.Kohli, who has been subdued in the first two matches, needs to rediscover his form to provide stability to the Indian middle order. His dismissals to leg-spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay have raised concerns about his ability to handle the turning ball.Other Indian batters have also struggled against the Lankan spinners. Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul have failed to rotate the strike effectively and have been trapped in front of the wicket.In contrast, Rohit Sharma has shown how to tackle the spin challenge. His well-calculated strokes have allowed him to score runs at a brisk pace. His colleagues need to take a cue from his approach and play with more confidence and planning.From a combination perspective, the Indian team management may consider replacing Dube with Riyan Parag. Parag's spin bowling could be more effective than Dube's medium pace on the turning tracks in Colombo.The Indian bowlers also need to improve their performance in the death overs. They have failed to apply finishing touches to the Lankan innings after reducing them to precarious positions.If India is to avoid their first ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years, they need to find a way to counter the spin challenge and improve their batting and bowling performances.

Kieron Pollard's Monstrous Six Nearly Takes Out Commentators at 'The Hundred'The inaugural edition of 'The Hundred' tournament in England has witnessed some extraordinary hitting, and Kieron Pollard's colossal six at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Monday nearly had disastrous consequences for the commentators.Representing Southern Brave, the West Indian power-hitter unleashed a thunderous blow off Welsh Fire's Haris Rauf, sending the ball soaring towards backward square leg. The commentary box, situated at ground level in that direction, was directly in the firing line.As the ball hurtled towards the glass window, commentators Kumar Sangakkara and Robert Croft instinctively ducked for cover, their evasive maneuvers captured on camera. Fortunately, the ball narrowly missed the window and struck the electronic boundary board instead.Pollard's six was a testament to his immense power and timing. He ended his innings with 17 runs off 12 deliveries, contributing to Southern Brave's total of 139.In response, Welsh Fire struggled to keep up with the pace, eventually being bowled out for 97 with five balls remaining. The comprehensive 42-run victory gave Southern Brave a resounding start to their campaign.The incident involving the commentators highlighted the potential dangers associated with the high-octane nature of 'The Hundred.' The tournament's shorter format and smaller boundaries encourage aggressive batting, leading to the possibility of balls flying into unexpected areas.However, the quick reflexes of Sangakkara and Croft prevented a potentially serious accident. Their evasive action served as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in cricket, especially when the ball is traveling at such high speeds.

Andrew Flintoff, the former England all-rounder, has opened up about the life-altering car crash he experienced in December 2022. In an upcoming episode of the BBC show "Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams," Flintoff reveals the profound impact the accident has had on his physical and mental well-being."I genuinely should not be here, with what happened," Flintoff says in footage filmed from his hospital bed. "It's going to be a long road back and I'm only just starting."Flintoff underwent multiple facial surgeries after the crash, which occurred while he was filming for the British TV show "Top Gear." He has kept a low public profile since then, but in the upcoming episode, he speaks candidly about the challenges he has faced."I thought I could just shake it off," Flintoff says. "But it's been a lot harder than I thought. I've got nightmares, I have flashbacks. It's been so hard to cope with."Despite the difficulties, Flintoff is determined to move forward. "I've got another chance, I've got to go at it," he says. "I'm seeing that as how it is: a second go."Flintoff's recovery has been gradual, but he has returned to cricket in various coaching roles. He has worked with England's white-ball teams and is also head coach of Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred.In the upcoming episode of "Field of Dreams," Flintoff also discusses his coaching ambitions. "I've always had an ambition to coach," he says. "I'd love to do more coaching moving forwards."Flintoff's journey back from the crash is a testament to his resilience and determination. His story highlights the importance of seeking support and finding ways to cope with trauma.

Seasoned Tamil Nadu batter Baba Aparajith is set to don the Kerala jersey, as confirmed by The Hindu. The 30-year-old has been released by Tamil Nadu and is expected to join Kerala shortly.Aparajith, who has amassed 4571 runs in 90 First Class matches, including 11 centuries, was not selected for the Tamil Nadu Ranji team last season. However, he has maintained his form, scoring a 54-ball 72 for Chepauk Super Gillies in the TNPL eliminator.Kerala's batting lineup, which features strokemakers like Sanju Samson and Rohan Kunnummal, is expected to benefit from Aparajith's experience and technique. His off-spin bowling skills could also prove valuable.Aparajith's move to Kerala is seen as a positive step for the team, which has struggled in recent Ranji Trophy seasons. His experience and leadership qualities could help guide Kerala to better performances.The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has confirmed Aparajith's release, with a senior official stating that he approached them about his desire to move to Kerala. The TNCA has no objections and will provide him with a No Objection Certificate (NOC).Aparajith's move to Kerala is a testament to his determination to continue playing at the highest level. He will be hoping to make a significant contribution to Kerala's cricket and help them achieve success in the upcoming season.

Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month Award for July, alongside England's Gus Atkinson and Scotland's Charlie Cassell. Sundar's nomination is a testament to his recent performances, which have seen him establish himself as a key player for India.Sundar's journey to international recognition has been marked by perseverance and resilience. After battling injuries and spending years on the fringes of the Indian team, he finally broke through in Zimbabwe during a five-match T20I series. With the regular players rested, Sundar seized the opportunity and emerged as the team's leading spin-bowling all-rounder.In the first T20I, Sundar impressed with bowling figures of 2/11 and a valuable contribution of 27 runs. He played a crucial role in India's comeback, helping them turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 series victory. He took six more wickets in the remaining four matches and was named Player of the Match in the third game for his outstanding figures of 3/15. Sundar finished the series as the joint-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps.Sundar's impressive form continued in the subsequent series against Sri Lanka, where he earned the Player of the Match award in the only match he played. In a thrilling Super Over, he showcased his all-around abilities.Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson made a sensational Test debut for England at Lord's, taking 12 wickets in the match. He bagged a five-wicket haul in each innings, including a remarkable 7/45 in the first innings. Atkinson's heroics helped England secure an innings victory by 114 runs.Charlie Cassell, on the other hand, made a record-breaking ODI debut for Scotland against Oman. He claimed a seven-wicket haul (7/21), breaking Kagiso Rabada's nine-year-old record for the best bowling figures on ODI debut. Cassell's dream start included two wickets off his first two deliveries in international cricket. His performance ranked as the 7th-best bowling figures in ODI history.

India's Tied ODI Against Sri Lanka: Why No Super Over?The Indian cricket team's recent tied ODI against Sri Lanka has raised questions about the absence of a Super Over. Despite the scores being level at the end of regulation play, the match was declared a tie, sparking confusion among fans and experts alike.According to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) playing conditions, a Super Over is mandatory in case of a tie in 50-over matches. However, in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Raveendra Wimalasiri opted against a Super Over, leaving the match as a tie.The ICC has not yet commented on the matter, nor has the Indian team management. However, a report in Cricbuzz suggests that the umpires made the decision based on the playing conditions, which state that a Super Over may be omitted if "exceptional circumstances" arise.The absence of a Super Over has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that it deprived India of a potential victory, while others believe that the tie was a fair result given the challenging conditions.The match itself was a low-scoring thriller, with India chasing a target of 231. Skipper Rohit Sharma played a brilliant knock of 58 off 47 balls, but the rest of the Indian batting lineup struggled against Sri Lanka's spin attack.Charith Asalanka played a crucial role for Sri Lanka, taking two wickets in quick succession to level the scores. The match eventually ended in a tie, marking the 44th such occurrence in ODI history.The absence of a Super Over in the first ODI against Sri Lanka has highlighted the need for clarity in the ICC's playing conditions. It remains to be seen whether the ICC will address this issue in the future to ensure consistency in the application of the rules.

India's Stunning Run Out Seals Victory in Second ODI Against Sri LankaIn a thrilling encounter at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, India's Shreyas Iyer pulled off a remarkable run out to secure a 32-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI. The hosts had set a target of 241, but India's batting lineup faltered, collapsing to 208 all out in 42.2 overs.The match-winning moment came in the final over of Sri Lanka's innings. With the hosts needing quick runs, Kamindu Mendis attempted a pull shot off Arshdeep Singh's penultimate delivery. The ball flew high into the air, and Mendis scrambled for a run.Iyer, fielding at deep mid-wicket, collected the ball on the bounce and unleashed a lightning-fast throw towards the striker's end. The ball traveled with pinpoint accuracy, dislodging the bails without a bounce. Mendis, caught short of his crease, was left stunned as he walked away without even appealing to the umpire.Iyer's stunning throw not only sealed the victory for India but also highlighted the importance of fielding in cricket. A well-executed run out can often turn the tide of a match, and Iyer's effort was a prime example of this.Despite the victory, India's batting performance was a cause for concern. The top order failed to fire, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan all falling cheaply. Only Suryakumar Yadav (53) and Deepak Chahar (38) offered any resistance.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/37) and Maheesh Theekshana (3/45), exploited the Indian batsmen's weaknesses, bowling with accuracy and variation.With the series tied at 1-1, the third and final ODI will be a crucial encounter. India will need to improve their batting performance, while Sri Lanka will look to build on their momentum and secure a series victory.

Kursad Dalyan's Unconventional Catch Stuns in ECS Bulgaria T10In a thrilling encounter at the National Sports Academy Vasil Levski on Saturday, Kursad Dalyan of Afyonkarahisar SHS showcased an extraordinary fielding display that left spectators and teammates in awe.Afyonkarahisar SHS, after winning the toss, set a challenging target of 104/5 in their allotted 10 overs. VTU-MU Pleven, in response, struggled to keep up with the pace, managing only 40/8.The turning point of the match came in the fourth over of VTU-MU Pleven's innings. Anandhu Krishna, batting on 1, attempted a drive towards the on-side but mistimed his shot. The ball appeared to be heading towards the fielder at mid-on.However, Dalyan, with lightning-fast reflexes, extended his foot forward, causing the ball to hit his shoe and bounce up into the air. He then completed the catch with ease, leaving everyone present in disbelief.This remarkable catch left VTU-MU Pleven reeling at 14/4 after 3.3 overs, contributing significantly to their eventual collapse.Dalyan's athleticism and quick thinking not only showcased his exceptional fielding skills but also played a crucial role in Afyonkarahisar SHS's decisive victory.The ECS Bulgaria T10 tournament has witnessed several impressive performances, but Dalyan's unconventional catch stands out as a memorable moment that highlights the importance of fielding in the fast-paced format of the game.

Kohli's Controversial LBW Review Sparks Debate in India-Sri Lanka ODIDuring the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, a contentious LBW review involving Virat Kohli ignited a heated debate. In the final delivery of the 15th over, Akila Dananjaya's delivery struck Kohli in front of the stumps, prompting an LBW appeal from the Sri Lankan players.Kohli consulted with non-striker Shubman Gill before opting for a review. The third umpire faced a perplexing dilemma as the UltraEdge technology displayed a spike when the ball passed Kohli's bat before hitting his pad. However, visual evidence suggested a significant gap between the bat and the ball at the point of impact.Despite the conflicting evidence, the third umpire ruled in Kohli's favor, leaving the Sri Lankan fielders and interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya visibly frustrated. Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis expressed his exasperation by throwing his helmet on the ground.The incident sparked a heated discussion on social media, with many questioning the accuracy of the UltraEdge technology and the third umpire's decision. Some argued that the visual evidence clearly showed the ball missing Kohli's bat, while others defended the umpire's call, citing the spike on the UltraEdge as conclusive proof of an edge.The controversy overshadowed an otherwise impressive performance by Sri Lanka, who defeated India by 32 runs. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay was the star of the show, claiming six wickets for 33 runs. For India, Rohit Sharma top-scored with 64 runs, while Axar Patel contributed 44.