Cricket

Sri Lanka, the current series leaders, opted to field first in the second ODI against New Zealand at Pallekele. The decision was influenced by the likelihood of dew in the evening, which could make batting easier later on. New Zealand, on the other hand, were undecided about their preferred choice but were content to bat first on a favorable track.Both teams made minimal changes to their lineups. New Zealand retained their unchanged XI, while Sri Lanka replaced seamer Dilshan Madushanka with spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage. This move reflects the spin-friendly nature of the Pallekele pitch, with both sides opting for just one frontline seam option.The match commenced on a hot and humid afternoon, with a possibility of rain in the evening. However, the weather is not expected to significantly impact the outcome. Sri Lanka has a strong record at Pallekele, having won seven of their last eight ODIs there. Notably, the last four matches at this venue have been won by the chasing team.Sri Lanka:1. Pathum Nissanka2. Avishka Fernando3. Kusal Mendis (wk)4. Sadeera Samarawickrama5. Charith Asalanka (capt.)6. Kamindu Mendis7. Janith Liyanage8. Dunith Wellalage9. Maheesh Theekshana10. Jeffrey Vandersay11. Asitha FernandoNew Zealand:1. Tim Robinson2. Will Young3. Hentry Nicholls4. Mark Chapman5. Glenn Phillips6. Mitchell Hay (wk)7. Michael Bracewell8. Mitchell Santner (capt.)9. Nathan Smith10. Ish Sodhi11. Jacob Duffy

Sri Lanka Dominate New Zealand in Second ODI, Sealing Convincing VictoryIn a rain-affected second ODI at Pallekele, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, extending their lead in the three-match series. Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that proved advantageous.The New Zealand innings got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Will Young and Tim Robinson were dismissed cheaply, leaving the visitors reeling at 20/2. Henry Nicholls and Mark Chapman attempted to rebuild the innings, but their efforts were cut short by the Sri Lankan bowlers.Sri Lanka's spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay, played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand's scoring. Theekshana claimed three wickets, while Vandersay picked up two. Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips provided some resistance, but the New Zealand innings eventually folded for a modest 185 runs in 43.1 overs.In response, Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, gave their team a solid start. Nissanka scored a fluent 55, while Fernando contributed 32. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama also made valuable contributions, helping Sri Lanka reach their target with ease.Sri Lanka chased down the total in just 34.3 overs, losing only three wickets. Charith Asalanka remained unbeaten on 38, while Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 27.The victory gives Sri Lanka a 2-0 lead in the series, with the final ODI scheduled to be played on August 1.

KL Rahul Returns to Practice, Boosting India's Hopes Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyNEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team received a much-needed boost on Sunday as star batter KL Rahul returned to practice after recovering from an elbow injury. Rahul had sustained a blow to his elbow during a simulation match on Friday and had left the field, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.However, Rahul's return to practice on Sunday has eased those concerns. The 32-year-old batted for nearly an hour at the center wicket, facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. He also had a net session with both old and new balls.Rahul's return is particularly crucial given the recent injury to Shubman Gill, who fractured his thumb on Saturday and is set to miss the first Test match. In the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, Rahul is expected to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.Rahul's return to form is also a welcome sign for the Indian team, which has been struggling in recent months. The team lost a 3-0 home series to New Zealand, with Rahul scoring just 12 runs over two innings.The Indian Test team has been practicing match simulations against a side comprising India A squad members and fringe players at the WACA ground in Perth. The first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to begin on November 22.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will clash in the second ODI of their three-match series on Sunday, November 17, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The hosts, Sri Lanka, hold a 1-0 lead after securing a 45-run victory in the series opener.In the first ODI, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 324-5 in 49.2 overs, thanks to Kusal Mendis' career-best 143 and Avishka Fernando's 100. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs due to rain, fell short at 175-9.New Zealand will be eager to level the series and will look to their experienced players, including captain Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Trent Boult, to lead the charge. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory.The match will begin at 02:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 02:00 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website, as well as the FanCode app and website.Sri Lanka's victory in the first ODI was a significant boost for the team, which has struggled in recent months. Mendis and Fernando's centuries were crucial in setting up the win, while the bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, performed admirably.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance in the first match. They will need to improve their batting and bowling if they want to level the series.The second ODI promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. Sri Lanka will be confident after their victory in the first match, while New Zealand will be determined to bounce back and level the series.

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence in Perth next week, and former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes a strong start is crucial for India's chances of retaining the trophy.Despite a disappointing 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand, Harbhajan remains optimistic about India's batting lineup. He attributes the poor performance against New Zealand to the contrasting home conditions, which will be vastly different from the bouncy pitches in Australia."I am not considering the cricket India played recently because conditions were different," Harbhajan said. "Australia will have good conditions. Pitches will be good."Harbhajan believes India has a 50-50 chance of retaining the trophy, with the batters expected to perform well on the Australian surfaces. He emphasizes the need for a player like Cheteshwar Pujara, who can grind down the opposition bowlers.However, Harbhajan warns that a loss in the series opener could create problems and increase pressure on India. "The first Test will be very important. If India start well in Perth, then the team will give a solid fight in the series. If India doesn't start well, then problems will escalate for India."Harbhajan also backs KL Rahul to shine in Australia, despite his struggles in the home season. "KL Rahul has been criticized so much. He is a class player."After the Perth Test, India will have a 10-day break before the day-night Test in Adelaide. The third Test will be held in Brisbane, followed by the Boxing-Day match in Melbourne. The New Year's Test will start from January 3 in Sydney.

With the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia approaching, Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur has expressed unwavering confidence in Virat Kohli's ability to deliver despite recent struggles. Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced scrutiny for their inconsistent form during the New Zealand tour, but Thakur believes Kohli's stellar record and experience in Australia will prove invaluable.Thakur acknowledges the immense pressure on Kohli, emphasizing the high expectations surrounding the star batter. "When Virat bats, we tend to expect him to score a century every time. So, even if he scores 70 runs, it feels like he has failed," Thakur said. However, he highlights Kohli's impressive record, noting that he is second only to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of centuries scored worldwide.Thakur also points to Kohli's outstanding performances in Australia, where he has accumulated over 600 runs in 13 Tests at an average exceeding 50. "Everyone knows, deep down, how well Virat plays in Australia. He has everything - whether it's technique or the right approach - to succeed on the Australian tour," Thakur asserted.Reflecting on his own recovery journey, Thakur admits to initial hesitation after surgery. However, he has regained full fitness and is confident in his bowling abilities. "In the past three or four matches, I have been bowling in full rhythm," he said.Despite his impressive domestic performance, Thakur was overlooked for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad. However, he remains optimistic about future opportunities, particularly with a packed schedule ahead. "My fitness is in great shape now, and since the Australia tour is a long one, opportunities can come anytime," he said.Thakur's confidence in Kohli and his own determination to improve highlight the resilience and optimism within the Indian team as they prepare for the challenging series against Australia.

Virat Kohli Urges Fans to Embrace Positivity on Social MediaIn the era of social media, where fame and popularity come at a price, cricketers like Virat Kohli have faced unwarranted criticism and negativity online. However, in a recent video message, Kohli has appealed to fans to use social media for good and maintain a positive mindset."Use all your gadgets and use them positively," Kohli said. "You all have access to social media, use it for good things and keep a good positive mindset. Your gadgets give you access to gather information, but look at the world with a positive mindset. There should be no trolling, no negativity, no making fun of people, don't feed off negative things and if you keep a positive mindset, you will be rewarded accordingly."Kohli's message comes amidst his ongoing struggles with form. The former India captain has averaged a mere 22.72 in six matches in 2024, the lowest in his career. His last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.As India prepares for the first Test against Australia in Perth on November 22, Kohli will be hoping to rediscover his batting prowess. He has played two Tests in Perth, scoring 44 and 75 in 2012 and becoming the first batsman to score a Test hundred at the new Perth stadium in 2018.India needs to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. Kohli's return to form will be crucial for India's chances of achieving this goal.

In a thrilling encounter at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, West Indies pulled off a remarkable five-wicket victory over England in the fourth T20I, narrowing the series deficit to 3-1.England, who had already secured the series, opted to bat first and posted a formidable total of 218/6. Phil Salt (55) and Will Jacks (54) provided a solid start, while Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 62 and Sam Curran's late cameo of 24 propelled the visitors to a challenging score.West Indies bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Rehan Ahmed, and Roston Chase claimed crucial wickets, but England's batters took advantage of the favorable batting conditions.In response, West Indies openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis unleashed a blistering assault, putting on a 136-run partnership. Hope reached his half-century in just 23 balls, while Lewis smashed seven sixes in his 26-ball 68.England fought back with three quick wickets, but West Indies captain Rovman Powell (38) and Sharfane Rutherford (29) steadied the innings. Rutherford sealed the victory in style, smashing two sixes off Dan Mousley in the penultimate over to ensure the hosts reached the target with six balls to spare."Guys were more committed today," said Powell after the match. "The team showed a lot of fight, and 3-2 looks much better than 4-1. We'll aim to finish strong tomorrow."England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged the quality of the contest despite the loss. "I thought we had a great start and posted a strong score, but they played exceptionally well to chase it down," he said.The fifth and final T20I takes place on Sunday, with West Indies aiming to end the series on a high.

India's upcoming tour of Australia holds immense significance as the team aims to regain its dominance Down Under. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, who led India to a memorable 1-1 draw in Australia in 2003-04, shared his insights on the team's preparations, the challenges they face, and the potential of the next generation of players.Ganguly expressed concern over India's recent 0-3 home defeat against New Zealand, emphasizing the need for introspection and a shift in mindset. He criticized the excessive use of rank turners in India, arguing that they hinder the development of batters and spinners alike.Regarding the transition to Australian conditions, Ganguly stressed the importance of adjusting to pace and bounce. He believes that the team's previous experience in Australia will be beneficial, but they must focus on hard practice and a clear game plan.Ganguly highlighted the significance of setting the tone early in the series, particularly in the first Test in Perth. He emphasized the need for senior batters like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant to take responsibility and inspire the team.On the topic of the next generation of players, Ganguly expressed confidence in the abilities of Shubman Gill and Pant. He believes they have the potential to emerge as senior batters and lead the team in the future.Ganguly acknowledged the changing nature of the game, with batters now adopting an aggressive approach. However, he emphasized the importance of adaptability and the ability to perform under pressure.Regarding the uncertainty over Rohit Sharma's availability, Ganguly expressed his belief that the team can cope with his absence. He highlighted the presence of experienced batters who can step up and set the tone.Finally, Ganguly discussed the team's bowling attack, praising the performances of Mohammed Shami and the potential of playing two spinners. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach, considering both batting stability and bowling strength.