Cricket

India's recent loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI has raised eyebrows, but assistant coach Abhishek Nayar attributes it to the challenging conditions and Sri Lanka's impressive performance.The pitch's significant turn made even less-skilled spin bowlers a threat, Nayar noted. Sri Lanka's spinner Jeffrey Vandersay bowled with excellent length and kept batters pinned in the crease, contributing to India's loss of six wickets in quick succession.Sri Lanka's lower order batting also played a crucial role. Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis scored valuable runs, pushing Sri Lanka's total to 240 for 9, a formidable score on the turning pitch.Nayar acknowledged that India's batting order adjustments, such as Shivam Dube batting at No. 4 and Shreyas Iyer at No. 6, were not particularly radical. The aim was to maintain a left-right combination against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack.Despite the loss, Nayar emphasized the importance of middle order batters playing their natural roles. He believes that the thought process behind the batting order was sound, even if it did not yield the desired results.Nayar also praised Sri Lanka's tenacity and ability to adapt to the conditions. He believes that India needs to analyze the reasons for their consecutive losses and rectify any weaknesses.

The Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against the London Spirit at Lord's, securing their third win in four matches in The Hundred. Sam Curran's exceptional all-round performance proved pivotal in the Invincibles' 30-run triumph.Curran's blistering knock of 51 from just 22 deliveries propelled the Invincibles to a competitive total of 147 for 5 on a challenging pitch. His innings included three consecutive sixes off Nathan Ellis, showcasing his power-hitting prowess.In response, the Spirit's openers, Keaton Jennings and Michael Pepper, provided a solid start, guiding their team to 35 for 0 in the powerplay. However, the Invincibles' spin attack, led by Adam Zampa and Nathan Sowter, tightened the screws, dismissing both openers and Ollie Pope in quick succession.Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer briefly revived the Spirit's hopes, but Zampa's dismissal of both batsmen left the visitors needing 56 runs from the final 30 balls. Andre Russell attempted to rally his team, but Curran's hat-trick, the third in the history of The Hundred men's competition, sealed the victory for the Invincibles.Curran's five-wicket haul, including the hat-trick, earned him the Meerkat Match Hero award. He expressed his satisfaction with the performance, acknowledging the challenges posed by Russell and the importance of securing the win.The Invincibles' victory consolidates their position in the top half of the standings, while the Spirit remain winless after four matches. The result highlights the importance of all-round contributions and the impact of spin bowling in The Hundred.

Sri Lanka's Jeffrey Vandersay emerged as the hero in the second ODI against India, leading his team to a remarkable 32-run victory in Colombo. Vandersay's exceptional six-wicket haul for just 33 runs dismantled the Indian batting lineup, giving Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Chasing a target of 241 on a spin-friendly pitch, India's promising start was quickly extinguished by Vandersay's brilliance. Rohit Sharma's aggressive 64 off 44 balls had set the tone for India, but his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse.From a comfortable 97 for one, India lost six wickets for just 50 runs in 10 overs. Vandersay, filling in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, exploited the conditions and the Indian batsmen's vulnerabilities, claiming the crucial wickets of Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.Despite the top-order collapse, Axar Patel attempted a counter-attack with a resilient 44 off 44 balls, but his efforts were cut short by Charith Asalanka.Earlier, Sri Lanka's batting effort had been challenged by India's spinners, particularly Washington Sundar (3/30) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33). Despite struggling at 136 for six, a crucial 72-run partnership between Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis provided the hosts with a competitive total of 240 for nine.Vandersay's exceptional performance and Sri Lanka's resilience on a difficult pitch proved too much for India, who were bowled out for 208 in 42.2 overs. The victory gives Sri Lanka a crucial advantage in the series, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Tuesday.

In a thrilling encounter at Lord's, the Oval Invincibles and London Spirit played out a dramatic tie in front of a packed crowd of 17,810. The match was marked by exceptional performances from overseas stars Marizanne Kapp and Deepti Sharma.Kapp, the South African all-rounder, starred for the Invincibles with a brilliant 4 for 11 and a quickfire 47. Her bowling prowess was on full display as she dismissed Meg Lanning, Cordelia Griffith, Georgia Redmayne, and Heather Knight. With the bat, she played a crucial role in the Invincibles' chase, smashing a 32-ball 47.Deepti, the Indian all-rounder, was equally impressive for the Spirit. She took 3 for 18 with her economical off-spin, including the key wickets of Alice Capsey, Paige Scholfield, and Mady Villiers. She also contributed a valuable 44 runs with the bat, anchoring the Spirit's innings.The match was a see-saw affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. The Invincibles looked in control after Kapp's early wickets, but Deepti's recovery innings kept the Spirit in the game. In the chase, Kapp's knock gave the Invincibles hope, but Deepti's bowling and some smart fielding from the Spirit kept them in the hunt.The final over was a nail-biting affair. With the Invincibles needing two runs from the final ball, Ryana MacDonald-Gay and Jo Gardner attempted a match-winning two. However, a brilliant run-out by Charlie Dean denied them victory.The tie was a testament to the skill and determination of both teams. Kapp and Deepti were the standout performers, but the contributions of other players, such as Cordelia Griffith, Georgia Redmayne, and Eva Gray for the Spirit, and Alice Capsey, Sarah Glenn, and Amanda-Jade Wellington for the Invincibles, were also crucial.

Indian spinners, led by Washington Sundar, put the Sri Lankan batters to the test in the second ODI in Colombo on August 4. The spinners' guile and accuracy on a pitch that offered assistance proved too much for the Lankan batsmen, who were restricted to a modest total of 240 for nine.Sundar (3/30) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33) were the pick of the Indian bowlers, exploiting the conditions to their advantage. Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka's decision to bat first backfired as his team struggled to build partnerships and score runs at a consistent rate.The Indian spinners' dominance began early, with Mohammed Siraj dismissing in-form opener Pathum Nissanka in the second over. Nissanka's dismissal was followed by a brief recovery phase, with Avishka Fernando (40) and Kusal Mendis (30) adding 74 runs for the second wicket.However, the introduction of the spinners stifled the Lankan scoring rate. Fernando was trapped in front by Sundar, while Mendis was caught at short leg off the same bowler. The wickets of Samarawickrama and Asalanka left Sri Lanka reeling at 136 for six.The onus fell on young Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis to rebuild the innings. Wellalage played with composure and aggression, hitting sixes off Axar Patel and Siraj. Mendis provided valuable support, and the pair added 72 runs for the seventh wicket.Wellalage's dismissal by Kuldeep Yadav gave India a glimmer of hope, but Kamindu Mendis continued to play positively. He was eventually dismissed for 40, but his innings ensured that Sri Lanka had a respectable total to defend.The Indian bowlers struggled in the final five overs, conceding 44 runs as the Lankans looked to accelerate their scoring. However, the damage had already been done, and Sri Lanka's total proved to be insufficient.

Sri Lanka, aiming to secure a series victory after the thrilling tie in the first ODI, opted to bat first in the second match at the R Premadasa Stadium. Captain Charith Asalanka made the decision based on the pitch's expected behavior, which is similar to the one used in the series opener and likely to favor spinners as the game progresses.Sri Lanka made two changes to their lineup. Jeffrey Vandersay replaced Wanindu Hasaranga, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, in a like-for-like legspinner swap. The other change saw batting allrounder Kamindu Mendis, who can also bowl spin, come in for fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz.This move reflects Sri Lanka's anticipation of spin-friendly conditions, leaving them with only one frontline seamer in Asitha Fernando. They also have the option of using Janith Liyanage's part-time medium-pace if necessary. Sri Lanka's spin options include Asalanka, who impressed with three wickets in the first ODI, including two in two balls to secure the tie.India, on the other hand, fielded an unchanged XI. Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of adaptability, as they prepare for another chase in challenging conditions.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach commenced with a resounding 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The Men in Blue, led by newly appointed skipper Suryakumar Yadav, displayed resilience and determination throughout the series, culminating in a thrilling Super Over win in the third and final T20I.Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid as head coach, has been entrusted with a long-term contract that extends until the end of 2027. His appointment was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his suitability for the role. However, Gambhir has quickly silenced his critics with a series win in his first assignment.In the post-match dressing room chat, Gambhir lauded Suryakumar's leadership and the team's fighting spirit. He emphasized the importance of consistency and improvement, particularly on pitches that favor spin bowling."Congratulations on a great series win. Congratulations to Surya as well, outstanding captaincy and performance with the bat. I asked for something before the start of the game, and you absolutely delivered it. This is what happens when you keep fighting and don't give up," Gambhir said."These kinds of games happen, and the only way these key games can go in our favor is when we keep fighting for every delivery and every run, and this was a prime example," he added.Gambhir's appointment has sparked a renewed sense of optimism within the Indian cricket fraternity. His experience as a player and his reputation as a tough taskmaster are expected to benefit the team in the long run.However, former India cricketer Joginder Sharma has expressed concerns about Gambhir's longevity as head coach. Sharma believes that Gambhir's uncompromising nature and tendency to make bold decisions may lead to conflicts within the team."Gautam Gambhir is the one to manage the team, but I believe that Gautam Gambhir will not be able to stay for a long time," Sharma said. "This is because Gautam Gambhir has his own decisions. It might happen that he has a disagreement with a player. I am not talking about Virat Kohli. Many times, Gautam Gambhir's decisions are such that others do not like them."Despite these concerns, Gambhir has made a positive start to his tenure as head coach. The team's performance in the Sri Lanka series suggests that they are responding well to his leadership. Only time will tell whether Gambhir can sustain this momentum and guide India to success in major tournaments.

DRS Confusion Irks Rohit Sharma in Sri Lanka vs India ODIDuring the first ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, a controversial DRS (decision review system) incident involving a wide call left Indian captain Rohit Sharma visibly frustrated.In the 14th over of Sri Lanka's innings, Shivam Dube bowled a delivery down the leg side to Pathum Nissanka. The ball missed Nissanka's bat and flicked his thigh pad on its way to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. The Indian players appealed for a catch, but the umpire ruled it not out.To everyone's surprise, the umpire then signaled a wide. Captain Rohit had a brief conversation with Rahul before deciding not to review the decision. However, as Rohit was returning to the field, he overheard a player saying that he had heard a sound."You should know whether the bat is far from the pad or not. If the bat is away, then he is saying there is a noise for sure," Rohit said, expressing his annoyance.Rahul responded by saying, "In IPL, the reviews can be taken for wides, that's why he is saying."In the Indian Premier League (IPL), teams are allowed to review wide decisions. This rule does not apply in international cricket, which may have contributed to the confusion.The incident highlighted the complexities of the DRS system and the challenges umpires face in making split-second decisions. It also raised questions about the consistency of the DRS process across different formats of the game.Despite the DRS controversy, the match itself was a thrilling tie. Sri Lanka posted a competitive 230 for 8, thanks to half-centuries from Dunith Wellalage and Pathum Nissanka. India's chase was led by Rohit Sharma's 58, but they ultimately fell short of the target.

India and Sri Lanka, locked in a thrilling series, are set to face off in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the R. Premadasa International Stadium on Sunday. The match comes after two nail-biting encounters, with both teams tying one game each.In the first ODI, India's bowlers impressed, led by skipper Rohit Sharma's aggressive opening spell. The team's new strategy of fielding multiple left-handed batters, including Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube, was also evident. However, the hosts' fragile middle order struggled against India's spinners, leaving them vulnerable to collapse.As the teams prepare for the second ODI, the focus will be on maintaining clinical execution and avoiding costly mistakes. The pitch for the first game favored spinners, making it difficult to score boundaries. It remains to be seen if the conditions will be similar for Sunday's match.India will be keen to capitalize on their momentum and secure a victory. Rohit Sharma, who returned to ODIs after the World Cup final, will be looking to continue his impressive form. The team's batting lineup, which includes Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, will be expected to deliver.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back and level the series. Their middle order, which has been a concern, will need to step up and provide support to the top order. The team will also rely on their experienced bowlers, including Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne, to restrict India's scoring.With both teams eager to gain an advantage, the second ODI promises to be another intense and closely contested affair. The match will start at 2.30 p.m. IST.