Cricket

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team made history on July 28th by capturing their first-ever Women's T20 Asia Cup title. The triumph was a testament to the team's resilience and determination, as they overcame a formidable Indian side in the final.Chasing a challenging target of 166, Sri Lanka's openers, Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, set the tone with a blistering start. Athapaththu, the team's captain, led from the front with a 43-ball 61, while Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 69 from 51 deliveries. Their partnership of 113 runs laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's victory.India's bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batters, with only Deepti Sharma managing to pick up a wicket. Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming two wickets for 36 runs.Earlier, India had posted a competitive total of 165/6 in their 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored for India with a 47-ball 60, while Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with a rapid 30.Sri Lanka's victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team had shown glimpses of their potential in recent years, but they had never managed to reach the pinnacle of Asian cricket. This triumph is a testament to the team's growth and development, and it will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Sri Lankan cricketers.

West Indies have taken a slender lead over England in the final Test at Edgbaston, thanks to half-centuries from Mikyle Louis and Kavem Hodge.Resuming on a precarious 33 for 2, West Indies lost Alick Athanaze early on to Shoaib Bashir. However, Louis and Hodge steadied the innings with a 72-run stand for the fourth wicket.Louis, who resumed on 18, added 39 runs to his overnight score before being dismissed for 57. He struck two sixes and four fours in his innings.Hodge, who scored a century in the second Test at Nottingham, continued his good form with an unbeaten 52. He hit seven fours in his innings.Ben Stokes provided England with a breakthrough when he had Louis caught at second slip by Zak Crawley. Stokes also removed Jason Holder, who was trapped lbw by an inswinger from Gus Atkinson.Joshua Da Silva survived a nasty blow to his right biceps from a Stokes lifter to be 2 not out at the break.West Indies lead by 57 runs with five wickets remaining. England will need to take early wickets in the afternoon session to get back into the match.

India vs Sri Lanka: Women's Asia Cup Final Set for Sunday ShowdownThe stage is set for an enthralling final in the Women's Asia Cup 2024 as India and Sri Lanka prepare to battle it out for the coveted title on Sunday, July 28. Both teams have remained undefeated throughout the tournament, showcasing their dominance and determination.India, led by the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, has been in imperious form. They cruised to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the semi-finals, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma leading the charge with blistering knocks. The team is eyeing its eighth Women's Asia Cup title, a testament to their consistent excellence.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has emerged as a formidable force in this tournament. They edged past Pakistan in a thrilling semi-final, with Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshi de Silva playing pivotal roles. The hosts will be buoyed by the home crowd support and will be eager to create history by winning their first-ever Women's Asia Cup title.The final match will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The action will commence at 3:00 PM IST and will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also catch the live streaming of the match on Hotstar.Both India and Sri Lanka have a wealth of experience and talent in their ranks. India will rely on the batting prowess of Mandhana, Verma, and Kaur, while Sri Lanka will look to Athapaththu, de Silva, and Harshitha Madavi to deliver the goods.The final promises to be a captivating contest between two evenly matched teams. India will be aiming to extend its dominance in the tournament, while Sri Lanka will be determined to upset the favorites and etch their name in the history books.

Sanath Jayasuriya: India-Sri Lanka Series Holds 'Massive Importance' for Young PlayersWith the ongoing Olympic Games capturing the attention of sports enthusiasts, the India-Sri Lanka limited-overs series has received relatively less fanfare. However, Sri Lanka's interim head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, believes the series carries significant value for the young players involved.In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, Jayasuriya expressed his disappointment with Sri Lanka's performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the recent T20 World Cup. He attributed the team's struggles to a lack of consistency in batting, particularly in converting starts into substantial scores."The players know that. Batters need to fire and fire big to win a match," Jayasuriya emphasized. "We have a good bowling side which can win us games."When asked about India's rising star, left-handed top-order batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jayasuriya praised his talent and dedication. "He has the passion to do well, and to do that he has been working very hard," Jayasuriya said. "He has made sacrifices and is a dedicated kid, that's why he is performing."Jayasuriya, who was a pioneer in aggressive batting at the top of the order, shared his insights on countering a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah. "He (Bumrah) is unique. We need to respect him and his skills," Jayasuriya said. "On his day, you'll need to respect him, but then there are days when he is not up to the mark, it's on those days you need to capitalize."Jayasuriya also discussed the importance of preserving the uniqueness of Sri Lankan bowlers. "We always tell the bowlers to keep their natural way of bowling," he said. "We don't change much, but we make sure that they learn from their mistakes."Despite the challenges faced by Sri Lanka in recent tournaments, Jayasuriya remains optimistic about the future of the team. "Sri Lanka Cricket makes sure that we continue giving them confidence," he said.

Team India's ODI and Test captain, Rohit Sharma, recently made a stylish appearance on the streets of Mumbai in his luxurious Range Rover. The star cricketer, who has been enjoying a break since India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, was spotted with his wife Ritika Sajdeh and daughter Samaira.As Rohit navigated the city, his car's number plate caught the attention of onlookers. The number, 00264, holds special significance as it matches Rohit's highest score in ODI cricket. This unique touch adds to the aura of the Indian skipper, who is known for his exceptional batting prowess.Rohit's outing comes ahead of his departure to Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI series. The series will mark his return to international cricket after a brief hiatus. Rohit has been in impressive form lately, leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup.Despite his recent retirement from T20I cricket, Rohit has made it clear that he has no plans to step away from ODIs and Tests anytime soon. He remains a vital cog in India's batting lineup and will be looking to continue his success in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.Rohit's appearance in Mumbai also sparked a buzz on social media, with fans sharing videos and photos of his outing. The Indian captain's stylish ride and his car's unique number plate have become a talking point among cricket enthusiasts.As Rohit prepares for his return to international cricket, his fans will be eagerly awaiting his performance in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Indian skipper will be hoping to lead his team to another victory and continue his impressive run of form.

The evolution of coaching in Indian cricket has been a remarkable journey, from the days of amateur managers to the current era of professional coaches with lucrative contracts. In the past, the team manager, like P.R. Man Singh during India's 1983 World Cup triumph, handled multiple responsibilities. However, with the advent of commercialization and the recognition of mentorship's importance, the dressing room has undergone a significant transformation.The appointment of former stars like Kapil Dev and overseas experts like John Wright brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the Indian team. However, not all coaching stints were smooth sailing. The infamous spat between coach Greg Chappell and captain Sourav Ganguly highlighted the challenges of managing strong personalities.In recent years, India has found success by sourcing coaches from within its own ranks. Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid have all served as head coaches, bringing their intimate knowledge of the Indian cricket system to the role. Gautam Gambhir is the latest addition to this illustrious list.Gambhir, a gritty former India opener, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for intensity to the coaching position. His 4,154 Test runs and crucial performances in limited-overs cricket, including top-scoring in India's inaugural ICC Twenty20 and 2011 World Cup victories, attest to his exceptional talent.Known for his unwavering determination and competitive spirit, Gambhir is expected to instill a similar mindset in the Indian team. However, he will also need to navigate the challenges of managing a diverse group of individuals and preparing India for the post-retirement era of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other senior players.Gambhir's appointment marks a new chapter in Indian cricket coaching. His experience, intensity, and understanding of the game make him a formidable candidate to guide the team to future success.

Defending champions India are poised to extend their dominance in the Women's Asia Cup, aiming for a record-extending eighth title as they face a spirited Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday.India has been unstoppable in this continental showpiece, crushing Pakistan by seven wickets, followed by facile victories over UAE (78 runs), Nepal (82 runs), and Bangladesh (10 wickets). Their top-order batters and bowlers have fired in unison, leaving their opponents with no chance to mount a fight.Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have amassed over 100 runs each at a healthy strike rate of over 140, providing India with solidity and quick starts. However, the management may be even more pleased with the bowlers' response to the challenge, particularly Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh.Deepti is the leading wicket-taker of the event with nine scalps, while Renuka is third on the chart with seven. Their economy rate across four matches has been brilliant – 4.37 and 4.31 respectively. This has ensured that the opposition batters have no breathing space at the top or in the middle-overs, phases when Renuka and Deepti often operate.It has also aided other bowlers, as batters often look for relief shots against them. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav is a prime example, having taken six wickets at an economy of 5.5, feeding on the success of her senior colleagues.While there is no palpable worry in the Indian camp, they may be slightly concerned about the lack of batting time for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Harmanpreet has batted just twice in three matches, despite making a riveting 66 in one of them, while Rodrigues is yet to hit top gear in three innings. The think tank will hope that these experienced campaigners can find their range if the situation demands it."They might not have got that much time in the middle, but everyone is working hard at nets, and I am sure they will fire when the time comes," wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh had said.On the other hand, Sri Lanka is also undefeated in this event and has scored the biggest victory in terms of runs – a 144-run toweling of Malaysia in the group stage. The primary reason behind their supremacy is the fine form of skipper Chamari Athapathuthu, the leading run-scorer here with 243 runs.However, there is a bleaker side to it. Apart from Athapathuthu, none of their batters have scored over 100 runs, with Rushmi Gunarathne a distant second with 91 runs. Their bowling too offers a similar story. Except for off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari (7 wickets, economy 5.35), other Lankan bowlers have failed to make an impact as yet.In that context, the Islanders will require a quick all-round improvement against a settled India to have a smidgeon of chance even to stretch them.

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has become the talk of the cricketing world after his ambidextrous bowling display in the first T20I against India. The spinner left experts and fans alike in awe as he switched between bowling with his left and right arms during the same over.Mendis's unique ability has raised questions about the legality of such a bowling style. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, a bowler must inform the umpire of their intended bowling style (right-handed or left-handed) before the start of the over. Any change in bowling style during the over must also be communicated to the umpire.In Mendis's case, he informed the umpire of his intention to bowl left-handed against Suryakumar Yadav. However, when facing Rishabh Pant, he switched to bowling with his right arm without informing the umpire. This led to some confusion and debate about whether Mendis had violated the rules.The ICC regulations state that a bowler who fails to notify the umpire of a change in bowling style will be called for a no-ball. However, it is unclear whether this rule applies to a bowler who switches between bowling with both hands during the same over.The incident has sparked a discussion about the need for clearer regulations regarding ambidextrous bowling. Some experts believe that such a bowling style could give bowlers an unfair advantage, while others argue that it is a legitimate skill that should be allowed.Meanwhile, in the match itself, India's top-order batsmen put on a dominant display to post a commanding 213 for 7. Suryakumar Yadav, in his first match as permanent skipper of India's T20 team, led the charge with a sparkling 58 off 26 balls. Young stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill also made significant contributions with 41 and 34 runs, respectively.Rishabh Pant struggled initially but ended just one short of a half-century with some audacious shots. Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled to contain India's aggressive batting, with only Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana managing to pick up two wickets each.

Ricky Ponting, the former head coach of the Delhi Capitals, has shed light on his decision to move on from Prithvi Shaw, citing the latter's inability to meet team expectations. Shaw, once a promising talent in Indian cricket, has struggled to maintain his form, leading to his omission from the Delhi Capitals' playing eleven during the IPL 2024 season.Ponting expressed his disappointment in Shaw's situation, acknowledging his exceptional skills and potential. However, he emphasized that despite multiple discussions and efforts to improve Shaw's cricketing abilities, the player had not met the team's expectations. Ponting stated, "When you feel like you're not making players better and they're not doing what you need for the team, then you've got to look for other players that can do it for you."Ponting's comments highlight the challenges faced by coaches in developing players and the limitations of their influence. He acknowledged that Shaw is still a young and talented player, expressing hope that he will eventually realize his potential.As the Delhi Capitals prepare for the IPL 2025 season, speculation about Shaw's future with the team has arisen. It remains uncertain whether he will be retained, given the strategic planning underway ahead of the mega auction.