Cricket

Sri Lanka, riding high on their recent success, have once again opted to bat first in the second Test against New Zealand in Galle. The decision, made after winning the toss, is a testament to their confidence in their batting lineup and the spin-friendly conditions expected on the Galle pitch.Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka's captain, expressed optimism about the pitch, stating that it appeared "firmer than the last one with less grass." This suggests that the pitch may offer more bounce and carry, potentially favoring the batsmen.Sri Lanka has made two changes to their team for this Test. Milan Rathnayake, who impressed in his debut series in England, replaces Lahiru Kumara, while Nishan Peiris makes his debut in place of offspinner Ramesh Mendis. Rathnayake's inclusion adds depth to the bowling attack, while Peiris provides a like-for-like replacement for Mendis.New Zealand, on the other hand, has opted to field an unchanged team after their spirited performance in the first Test, which they lost by a narrow margin of 63 runs. The Kiwis will be eager to build on their positive display and secure a victory in Galle.The weather forecast for the match predicts short and sharp showers, but the conditions at the time of the toss were bright and sunny. Sri Lanka, currently third in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, will be aiming for another victory to strengthen their position and move closer to Australia, who are second.New Zealand, currently fourth in the WTC standings, will be keen to improve their performance and gain momentum ahead of their upcoming tour of India. The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams, with both sides looking to secure a crucial victory.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, has returned to India after a vacation in the United States. His arrival at Ranchi airport has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The IPL retention rules for the upcoming season are yet to be announced, leaving uncertainty over Dhoni's status with CSK. The franchise has reportedly requested the BCCI to allow them to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, but CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied these claims.If the "uncapped player rule" is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, allowing him to continue playing for the franchise. However, the rule was scrapped in 2021, and its reinstatement is not guaranteed.Dhoni's future in the IPL has been a topic of discussion for several months. The 40-year-old has not played international cricket since 2019 and has not captained CSK since 2022. However, he remains a popular figure in the IPL and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.The IPL auction is expected to be held outside India in November. If Dhoni is not retained by CSK, he could enter the auction pool and be available for other franchises to bid on.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the torchbearer of Indian women's cricket, is set to make history as she joins an elite group of players to have featured in all nine ICC Women's T20 World Cup editions. The upcoming tournament in the United Arab Emirates will mark her ninth appearance, a testament to her longevity and unwavering commitment to the sport.Kaur's journey to the pinnacle of women's cricket has been marked by both brilliance and resilience. She has been a key figure in India's rise as a global force, combining textbook batting with explosive power-hitting. Her ability to adapt to different roles and situations has made her an invaluable asset to the team.While Kaur's experience is a major asset, her recent form has raised some concerns. She has managed only two half-centuries since the last T20 World Cup, and her strike rate has dipped slightly. However, the Indian captain remains unfazed, confident in her ability to handle the pressure and deliver when it matters most.Kaur's team is a blend of experience and youth, with only three players yet to feature in a T20 World Cup. The squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma.India's hopes of lifting their maiden ICC trophy rest heavily on Kaur's shoulders. She has been a source of inspiration for countless young girls and has played a pivotal role in popularizing women's cricket in India. As she embarks on her ninth World Cup campaign, Kaur is determined to leave a lasting legacy and bring glory to her country.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking private investment for its Hundred franchises, but the process may extend beyond the initial target of 2025. Vikram Banerjee, director of business operations at the ECB, emphasized the importance of finding the right partners and valuations.Each of the eight hosting counties holds a 51% stake, with the remaining 49% available for sale by the ECB. The proceeds will be distributed among first-class counties, Marylebone Cricket Club, and the recreational game.The ECB is collaborating with host venues to assess potential investors, including GMR Group, which has expressed interest in acquiring Hampshire's stake in Southern Brave. However, the governing body has warned Hampshire that it could lose its stake if GMR does not pay a fair market price.The ECB has received promising interest from investors, including those from India and the US. The board seeks buyers who can contribute expertise in global engagement, sporting operations, and in-ground experience.While the plan is to announce investments by early 2025, Banerjee acknowledged that the process could take longer. He did not rule out a partial sale, but believes the current level of interest suggests that all teams will find suitable partners.London Spirit is expected to be the most sought-after franchise due to its prestigious venue, Lord's. However, the ECB will not rush into a decision and will hold onto teams if the right partners are not found.The Hundred's current media rights are fixed until 2028, and a salary cap ensures a level playing field. Expansion of the competition to include additional teams is unlikely before 2029, as the ECB wants to assess the growth and sustainability of the tournament.

Akash Deep, the young Bengal pacer, has made a quiet but significant impact on the Indian Test team since his debut in 2023. In his first match against England in Ranchi, he claimed three wickets in his opening spell, including the prized scalp of Zak Crawley. In the recent Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, he once again showcased his prowess by dismissing Zakir Hasan and Mominul Haque in consecutive deliveries, with the ball jagging back into the left-handers and breaching their defenses.Deep's rise to the national team is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He credits the rigors of domestic cricket for preparing him for the challenges of international cricket. "The domestic structure is so good that when you reach here, you already know many things," he said. "So, you get an idea of your bowling and what you must do. I don't find anything new here."Deep's bowling style is similar to that of Mohammed Shami, with the ability to move the ball both ways while attacking the stumps. This has led to comparisons between the two bowlers, and Deep is seen as a potential successor to Shami in the Indian pace attack."When you are playing in place of bowlers who have contributed to the country, then, along with being proud, I feel that I have to do something for my country," Deep said.Ahead of a long winter in which India will play Tests over the next three months, including five in Australia, Deep could be a key weapon in India's pace arsenal. With uncertainty over Shami's comeback after an Achilles tendon surgery, Deep is ready to step up and take over from his state teammate.Deep's journey so far has been marked by humility and a focus on the present. "I have worked on my strengths and what I can add to my bowling. I have thought about a few things. When I play here, it is simple. I don't put extra pressure on myself that I have to go to Australia or some other big series. I stay in the present and think about this match."

The Green Park curator has unveiled the blueprint for the wicket that will host the second Test between India and Bangladesh, promising a surface that will cater to both pacers and spinners over the course of the five-day encounter.The pitch, which will be used for the Test commencing on Friday, is expected to provide a lively bounce in the initial sessions, favoring the pacers. However, as the match progresses, the spinners are anticipated to come into their own, with the wicket expected to slow down and offer assistance to the tweakers."It will have something for everyone," said curator Shiv Kumar. "It will offer bounce in the first two sessions and it will be pretty good for batting for the first two days. Then, the spinners will come into play on the last three days."The pitch has been prepared using black soil sourced from Kali Mitti village near Unnao, a practice that has been followed for years at Green Park. Black soil is known to assist spinners, while red soil typically favors pacers."We get this soil tested from the Indian Institute of Technology," said an official from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). "It's a special soil that is found near a pond in village Kali Mitti. It (bringing black soil from the village) is a practice we have been following for years."In an effort to promote environmental sustainability, the UPCA has decided to minimize the use of plastic during the second Test. Plastic plates for serving snacks inside the stadium have been banned, with only paper plates being allowed."This is a match at Green Park and we are striving to make it a 'green' match," said stadium director Sanjay Kapur. "We have decided to use as little plastic as possible."

The upcoming SA20 auction promises to be a thrilling affair, with a host of international stars set to go under the hammer. Fast bowlers Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull are among the overseas players who will be up for grabs.Nearly 200 players, including 115 South Africans, have made the shortlist, but only 13 spots are to be filled up by the six franchises. Paarl Royals have the biggest purse of R11.95m to spend at the auction, followed by MI Cape Town with R8.275m and Pretoria Capitals with R4.575m.Other overseas attractions in the shortlist include New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, and Afghanistan wristspinner Qais Ahmad."Some of the biggest names on the international T20 circuit have already signed up for season 3 and I am looking forward to see how the teams finalise their squads from this competitive auction list of players," said Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain and current SA20 commissioner.Reeza Hendricks, who was released by Super Kings, is perhaps the most high-profile South African in the shortlist along with fellow opener Tony de Zorzi.All squads are required to have 19 players, with a minimum of ten South African players, a maximum of seven international players, a rookie, and a wildcard player.Barring Super Kings, all franchises have announced their wildcard picks. Notably, Paarl Royals picked former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as their wildcard. Having retired from Indian and international cricket in June earlier this year, Karthik will become the first Indian to feature in the SA20.Super Kings have until December 30 to lock in their wildcard player.The SA20 2025 auction will take place on October 1 and the tournament will begin on January 9, clashing with Australia's Big Bash League, UAE's ILT20, and New Zealand's Super Smash.

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian opener, has revealed that he retired from cricket due to a lack of inspiration to pursue domestic cricket for a place in the national team. Dhawan, who played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India between 2013 and 2022, announced his retirement in August 2023.Dhawan stated that he had lost the motivation to play domestic cricket, which he had started at a young age. He felt that continuing to play only in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was not enough to maintain his touch and be considered for national selection."I thought that continuing IPL and just coming up with two, three months of hard work won't be enough for me to go and play," Dhawan said.Dhawan, who captained Punjab Kings in the IPL, realized that practicing for a few months before the tournament would not be sufficient to earn him a national call-up. He also expressed satisfaction with his achievements in his career."I was very happy and satisfied and content with whatever I achieved in my career, and very, very grateful for everything," he said.Dhawan praised Rohit Sharma's leadership as India's captain, highlighting the team's T20 World Cup victory under his guidance. He also acknowledged India's near-miss in the ODI World Cup."We were very close in (winning) the ODI World Cup as well, and now we achieved that goal in T20Is," Dhawan said.Dhawan's retirement marks the end of a successful career for the left-handed opener. He is known for his aggressive batting style and has been a key member of India's limited-overs teams. He holds the record for the highest partnership runs in career for any wicket with Rohit Sharma, having added 5,193 runs in 117 matches.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder, has bid farewell to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after sustaining a groin injury during a match against St Lucia Kings. The 40-year-old had initially planned to retire at the end of the 2024 season, but the untimely injury has forced him to end his CPL career prematurely.Bravo's injury occurred while attempting to catch Kings' captain Faf du Plessis in the seventh over. He immediately left the field and did not bowl a single over in what turned out to be his final CPL game. Despite his injury, Bravo returned to bat at No. 11 in TKR's failed chase of 219. He faced just one ball, which struck his thigh, before retiring hurt, visibly emotional."When he pulled up [injured], it looked pretty serious," said TKR captain Kieron Pollard. "He's been a charismatic person and has been inspiring throughout. We just want to tell him thank you very much for all that he has done for cricket."Bravo's injury is a significant blow to TKR, who were also without Sunil Narine for the match against Kings. Narine is expected to return soon from a quad strain, while Andre Russell's workload is being managed due to a hamstring complaint.In the absence of Bravo and Narine, Pollard took on the bowling mantle, bowling his full complement of overs for the first time in the CPL since 2022. "I had to take the mantle with DJ [Bravo] going down and Russell isn't 100% fit," Pollard said.Du Plessis, who played alongside Bravo at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, paid tribute to the CPL stalwart. "Sad to see DJ Bravo finishing in that way," du Plessis said. "He's obviously someone that I've admired for a long time. He's done so much for everyone around the Caribbean."Bravo is the most decorated player in the CPL, having won five titles in all, including three with TKR. He led TKR to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 before captaining St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their first title in 2021.