Cricket

Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain struck a crucial blow in the third and final Twenty20 against Sri Lanka, dismissing Kamindu Mendis for 14 runs. The wicket came in the eighth over, with Mendis attempting an ambitious over-the-top shot that was caught by long off.Earlier, Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis had provided some momentum with a six off Hossain in the seventh over. However, Hossain's timely wicket prevented a further surge in the Lankan innings.Mahedi Hasan also played a key role for Bangladesh, bowling a tidy over in the sixth over, conceding just three runs. Hasan's efforts helped restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total in the Powerplay.Sri Lanka's innings got off to a shaky start, with Taskin Ahmed dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva for 10 runs in the third over. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis then steadied the ship with a 30-run partnership, but Hossain's wicket broke the momentum.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the conditions. Sri Lanka made three changes to their lineup, bringing in Dhanajaya de Silva, Nuwan Thushara, and Wanindu Hasaranga.Bangladesh fielded an unchanged squad, looking to secure a series victory after winning the first two matches. The third and final T20 will determine the series winner.

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, opted to bowl first in the third and decisive ODI against Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. The decision mirrored Shanto's choices in the previous two matches, which resulted in a 1-1 series tie.Sri Lanka's captain, Wanindu Hasaranga, who returned from a two-match suspension, echoed Shanto's decision, stating that he would have also chosen to bowl first if he had won the toss.The Bangladesh team remained unchanged, while Sri Lanka made three alterations to their lineup. Avishka Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka were replaced by Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Nuwan Thushara.The series is evenly poised at 1-1, making the third match crucial for both teams. Bangladesh's batting lineup features Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam.Sri Lanka's batting order includes Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, and Nuwan Thusara.The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure the series victory.

England's dismal performance in the fifth Test against India has drawn criticism from former England captain Geoffrey Boycott. After England's victory in the first Test, Boycott had questioned the age and ability of India's captain, Rohit Sharma. However, Sharma has silenced his critics with a string of impressive performances, including two centuries in the series.Boycott's comments, published in a column for the Telegraph, had sparked outrage among Indian social media users. He had written, "Their captain Rohit Sharma is nearly 37 and past his best. He makes pretty cameos but has only scored two Test hundreds at home in four years."Boycott's assessment of Sharma's abilities has been proven wrong by the Indian captain's recent performances. In the second Test, Sharma scored a century and a fifty, while in the third Test, he scored another century. His tally of 400 runs in the series is the fourth-highest among all players.Sharma's resurgence has been a major factor in India's dominance in the series. After losing the first Test, India has come back strongly to win the second and third Tests. England, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency and has been outplayed by India in all departments of the game.Boycott's comments have been met with derision by Indian fans, who have taken to social media to express their support for Sharma. Many have pointed out that Sharma's recent performances have proven Boycott's assessment to be inaccurate.The Indian captain's form has been a major boost for India, who are now on the verge of winning the series. With two Tests remaining, India needs just one more win to secure a series victory. England, on the other hand, faces an uphill task to salvage something from the series.

Marnus Labuschagne's brilliant 90 has helped Australia establish a 94-run first innings lead over New Zealand at Hagley Oval. Despite another innings propped up by an individual performance, Labuschagne believes the revamped batting line-up will succeed.Labuschagne's innings was a timely reminder of his class, having endured a lean run in recent Tests. However, he insists he never felt threatened by the prospect of losing his place. "The confidence of this team has done that," he said. "The coaches, selectors, and captain trust in the players and believe we have the best six or seven batters in the country."While Labuschagne's form has been under scrutiny, wicketkeeper Alex Carey's has also come into question. Carey has endured a difficult day with both bat and gloves, dropping a key catch late in the day. However, Labuschagne defended Carey's shot option, saying he was unfortunate to edge the ball to midwicket.Labuschagne also acknowledged that the revamped batting group has yet to fire collectively. However, he remains confident in the team's ability to succeed. "We've got the six best batters in the country out on the field," he said. "It's not gelling perfectly yet, but we're liking where Greeny is at No. 4 and Steve averages 58. He'll find a way."

India's Ashwin Wreaks Havoc, Gill-Bairstow Exchange Highlights Dharamsala TestIn the fifth and final Test of the series in Dharamsala, India's Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as a formidable force, dismantling England's top-order and leaving them reeling at 103 for five at lunch on day three.Amidst the intense battle on the field, a viral video captured a heated exchange between England's Jonny Bairstow and India's Shubman Gill. Bairstow, celebrating his 100th Test appearance, engaged in banter with Gill, who had earlier scored a century."What did you say to Jimmy about retiring... then he got you out next ball," Bairstow quipped.Gill responded with equal wit, "So what? ... he can get me out after my 100."The exchange showcased the competitive spirit and tension on the field as both teams fought for victory.India had earlier secured a commanding 259-run first innings lead, with veteran James Anderson reaching the monumental milestone of 700 Test wickets. Young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir continued to impress, claiming his second five-wicket haul of his debut series.England's second innings saw aggressive batting against the Indian spinners in an attempt to survive, but their efforts fell short. Captain Ben Stokes' dismissal to Ashwin just before lunch further compounded their woes.As the match progressed, Ashwin continued to torment England's batsmen, claiming the wickets of Joe Root and Ollie Pope. England's hopes of a comeback now rest on the shoulders of Bairstow and Jos Buttler, who remain unbeaten at the crease.The Dharamsala Test has been a captivating spectacle, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination. India's dominance in the first innings and Ashwin's brilliance have put them in a strong position, while England will need a Herculean effort to salvage a draw or even a victory.

The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) has been a source of entertainment for cricket enthusiasts, with unexpected moments and hilarious incidents. One such incident involved influencer Gaurav Taneja, who celebrated catching former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan on the boundary rope, unaware that it was a free-hit.During a match, Yusuf Pathan attempted to hit a six off Irfan Pathan's bowling. Taneja, standing at the boundary, caught the ball and began celebrating, thinking he had completed a catch. However, he failed to realize that the ball was a free-hit, which meant Yusuf could not be dismissed even if he was caught.The batters on the field took advantage of Taneja's mistake and took a single while he was celebrating. Taneja himself shared the video of the incident, admitting his embarrassing error.The ISPL is a pioneering Tennis Cricket League that aims to discover and nurture cricketers from grassroots levels. It provides a platform for local talent to showcase their skills and aspire to become future cricketing superstars.The inaugural edition of the league featured six teams: Majhi Mumbai, Srinagar ke Veer, Chennai Singams, Tigers of Kolkata, Falcon Risers Hyderabad, and Bangalore Strikers. The teams competed for the coveted trophy and prize money over a 10-day period.The league's opening ceremony was graced by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood celebrities Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Saif and Kareena Kapoor-Khan, Suriya Sivalkumar, and Ram Charan, who are also team owners.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, was forced to sit out the third day of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala due to a stiff back. Jasprit Bumrah, the designated vice-captain, took over the leadership responsibilities.Rohit's absence was a significant blow to India, as he has been in excellent form throughout the series. He has scored centuries in two of the last three Tests and played a crucial role in establishing India's advantage in Dharamsala.With Rohit out of action, India's top-order batsmen stepped up to the plate. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill both scored half-centuries, while Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant made valuable contributions.India's bowlers also performed well, with Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin taking three wickets each. England were bowled out for 245, giving India a lead of 259 runs.India's victory in Dharamsala gives them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. It is a remarkable achievement, considering that they lost the first Test in Hyderabad.However, India's victory has been overshadowed by a spate of injuries. Mohammed Shami, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Rajat Patidar have all missed matches due to various ailments.With the IPL just around the corner, India will be hoping that their injured players can recover in time. The IPL is a grueling tournament, and India will need all of their best players available if they want to win the title.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has expressed his delight in witnessing England's struggles against India, particularly considering the absence of several key Indian players. Paine believes that the current Indian team, despite missing stars like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant, is still a formidable force.In a recent podcast conversation with former Australia batter Simon Katich, Paine discussed the ongoing Test series between India and England. Katich praised India's depth, highlighting the performances of young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel."They have been playing against the Indian B team because there has been no Kohli, no Shami, Bumrah got rested last Test, KL Rahul is out, and Rishabh Pant is still making his way back from that accident," Katich said. "They are not their strongest team, but it just goes to show that the depth in Indian cricket is huge."Paine echoed Katich's sentiments, recalling Australia's defeat to India in the 2018-19 Test series at home when the visitors were also missing several senior players."I know what it's like to be beaten by an Indian B team. Unfortunately, it happened to us on our home soil," Paine said. "But yes, some huge names out for India, which should have certainly helped the English. I thoroughly enjoy watching England play the game, I love the way they are going about it. I love watching them lose. Don't get me wrong, but they are entertaining and exciting."Paine's comments reflect the growing recognition of India's strength in depth, which has allowed them to maintain their competitiveness even in the absence of their star players. The performances of Jaiswal and Jurel in the ongoing Test series have further underlined the depth of Indian cricket.

Australia's batting woes continued in the second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, but Marnus Labuschagne's gritty 90 provided a glimmer of hope. Resuming on 124 for 4, Australia lost four wickets in the morning session to reach lunch at 221 for 8, leading by 59 runs.Matt Henry continued his impressive form, claiming another five-wicket haul to take his tally to 10 wickets in the match. The New Zealand paceman has been a constant threat, exploiting the movement on offer.Labuschagne, who had endured a lean patch in recent months, showed signs of his class with a determined innings. He anchored the Australian innings, countering the movement by getting across the stumps and hitting into his favored on-side.Despite his efforts, Labuschagne fell agonisingly short of a century when he was caught at gully by Glenn Phillips off Tim Southee's bowling. His dismissal was a major blow to Australia, who have struggled to build partnerships throughout the series.Nathan Lyon, the nightwatchman, made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring 20 before edging Henry to Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell Marsh also fell cheaply, trapped on the crease by Henry.Debutant Ben Sears claimed the wicket of Steven Smith, but was unable to unsettle Labuschagne. Offspinner Glenn Phillips dismissed Alex Carey with a poorly executed paddle stroke, putting further pressure on the Australian wicketkeeper.With Josh Inglis waiting in the wings, Carey's place in the team is under scrutiny. Australia will need to bat aggressively in the afternoon session to build a substantial lead and put pressure on New Zealand.