Cricket

Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of ODI Series Against India with Hamstring InjurySri Lanka's all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the three-match ODI series against India due to a hamstring injury. The injury occurred during the first ODI, which ended in a thrilling tie.Hasaranga sustained the injury while bowling the final ball of his 10th over. He was seen clutching his left hamstring in discomfort and was unable to continue bowling. An MRI scan later confirmed the injury.The loss of Hasaranga is a significant blow to Sri Lanka's bowling attack. He is one of the team's most experienced and reliable bowlers, and his absence will be felt.To fill the void left by Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay has been called up to the Sri Lankan squad. Vandersay, 34, has played 22 ODIs for Sri Lanka, with his last appearance coming in January this year against Zimbabwe.The second ODI between Sri Lanka and India will be played on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on August 7.

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, has been experimenting with leg-spin bowling during India's training session in Pallekele ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka. Pandya's bowling action has drawn comparisons to legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, with the Lucknow Super Giants franchise sharing an image of Pandya's delivery alongside a similar image of Kumble.Pandya's return to the field in Sri Lanka comes after his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup last month and a break from the tour of Zimbabwe. However, he will not be the vice-captain of the side, a role he held during the T20 World Cup. The BCCI has appointed Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is.The decision to not make Pandya the T20I captain was based on his recent fitness concerns, according to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Despite a successful return to form in the T20 World Cup, Pandya has faced personal challenges due to his separation from his wife, Natasa Stankovic.Despite these setbacks, Pandya has displayed enthusiasm in training on the tour of Sri Lanka. He will be eager to continue his impressive form from the T20 World Cup final, where his three wickets played a crucial role in India's victory over South Africa.The tour also marks the debut of Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup. India will play three T20Is and three ODIs during the Sri Lanka tour.

India's tour of Sri Lanka in late July and early August will mark a significant milestone for both teams as they embark on a new era under their respective head coaches. The series will comprise three T20Is and as many ODIs, providing an opportunity for both sides to assess their progress and prepare for upcoming challenges.The tour will commence with back-to-back T20Is on July 26 and 27 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The action will then shift to the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the ODI series, which will begin on August 1. Each ODI will be separated by a two-day gap.For India, this series will be the first assignment under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, a former India opener, will be tasked with continuing the team's success following their triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 under Rahul Dravid.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be guided by interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya, a legendary all-rounder, will be aiming to revive Sri Lanka's fortunes after their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup.India's last tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021 saw them emerge victorious in the ODI series (2-1) while Sri Lanka claimed the T20Is by the same margin. This time around, both teams will be eager to prove their mettle and establish themselves as contenders in the international arena.The T20I series will be India's second since their T20 World Cup triumph, following their ongoing tour of Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their early exit from the T20 World Cup and showcase their talent in front of their home crowd.With a mix of experienced and emerging players in both squads, the India-Sri Lanka series promises to be an exciting and competitive affair. The matches will provide valuable insights into the teams' strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for future challenges, including the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2026.