Cricket

India's Stunning Run Out Seals Victory in Second ODI Against Sri LankaIn a thrilling encounter at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, India's Shreyas Iyer pulled off a remarkable run out to secure a 32-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI. The hosts had set a target of 241, but India's batting lineup faltered, collapsing to 208 all out in 42.2 overs.The match-winning moment came in the final over of Sri Lanka's innings. With the hosts needing quick runs, Kamindu Mendis attempted a pull shot off Arshdeep Singh's penultimate delivery. The ball flew high into the air, and Mendis scrambled for a run.Iyer, fielding at deep mid-wicket, collected the ball on the bounce and unleashed a lightning-fast throw towards the striker's end. The ball traveled with pinpoint accuracy, dislodging the bails without a bounce. Mendis, caught short of his crease, was left stunned as he walked away without even appealing to the umpire.Iyer's stunning throw not only sealed the victory for India but also highlighted the importance of fielding in cricket. A well-executed run out can often turn the tide of a match, and Iyer's effort was a prime example of this.Despite the victory, India's batting performance was a cause for concern. The top order failed to fire, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan all falling cheaply. Only Suryakumar Yadav (53) and Deepak Chahar (38) offered any resistance.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/37) and Maheesh Theekshana (3/45), exploited the Indian batsmen's weaknesses, bowling with accuracy and variation.With the series tied at 1-1, the third and final ODI will be a crucial encounter. India will need to improve their batting performance, while Sri Lanka will look to build on their momentum and secure a series victory.

India's skipper Rohit Sharma has once again captured the spotlight with his antics on the field. This time, it was not a witty remark caught on the stump mic, but a humorous act that left everyone in stitches.During the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Washington Sundar pulled back twice in a row while preparing to bowl a delivery. On the first occasion, Rohit, stationed at first slip, remained composed. However, the second time Sundar pulled back, Rohit jokingly ran towards him as if to hit him.The incident was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media. Rohit's playful gesture showcased his lighthearted nature and his ability to bring a smile to the faces of his teammates and fans alike.Meanwhile, India's spinners, led by Washington Sundar, put the Sri Lankan batters to the test. Sundar claimed three wickets for 30 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav picked up two for 33. The Lankan batters struggled to cope with the spin duo, who exploited the conditions to their advantage.Sri Lanka's innings was anchored by a 72-run partnership between Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis for the seventh wicket. Wellalage scored 39 runs, while Mendis contributed 40. However, their efforts were not enough to propel Sri Lanka to a competitive total, as they were restricted to 240 for nine.India's bowlers were disciplined throughout the innings, with Mohammed Siraj striking early to remove Pathum Nissanka. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis provided some resistance, but the spinners eventually took control of the game.The Indian bowlers also struggled in the final five overs, conceding 44 runs. However, they managed to secure a comfortable victory, with Sri Lanka falling short by 43 runs.

India's recent loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI has raised eyebrows, but assistant coach Abhishek Nayar attributes it to the challenging conditions and Sri Lanka's impressive performance.The pitch's significant turn made even less-skilled spin bowlers a threat, Nayar noted. Sri Lanka's spinner Jeffrey Vandersay bowled with excellent length and kept batters pinned in the crease, contributing to India's loss of six wickets in quick succession.Sri Lanka's lower order batting also played a crucial role. Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis scored valuable runs, pushing Sri Lanka's total to 240 for 9, a formidable score on the turning pitch.Nayar acknowledged that India's batting order adjustments, such as Shivam Dube batting at No. 4 and Shreyas Iyer at No. 6, were not particularly radical. The aim was to maintain a left-right combination against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack.Despite the loss, Nayar emphasized the importance of middle order batters playing their natural roles. He believes that the thought process behind the batting order was sound, even if it did not yield the desired results.Nayar also praised Sri Lanka's tenacity and ability to adapt to the conditions. He believes that India needs to analyze the reasons for their consecutive losses and rectify any weaknesses.

Sri Lanka, aiming to secure a series victory after the thrilling tie in the first ODI, opted to bat first in the second match at the R Premadasa Stadium. Captain Charith Asalanka made the decision based on the pitch's expected behavior, which is similar to the one used in the series opener and likely to favor spinners as the game progresses.Sri Lanka made two changes to their lineup. Jeffrey Vandersay replaced Wanindu Hasaranga, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, in a like-for-like legspinner swap. The other change saw batting allrounder Kamindu Mendis, who can also bowl spin, come in for fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz.This move reflects Sri Lanka's anticipation of spin-friendly conditions, leaving them with only one frontline seamer in Asitha Fernando. They also have the option of using Janith Liyanage's part-time medium-pace if necessary. Sri Lanka's spin options include Asalanka, who impressed with three wickets in the first ODI, including two in two balls to secure the tie.India, on the other hand, fielded an unchanged XI. Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of adaptability, as they prepare for another chase in challenging conditions.

India's bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, has revealed the team's strategy of utilizing top-order batsmen as part-time bowlers. This approach, he believes, can provide a "surprise element" against opponents.In the first ODI against Sri Lanka, opener Shubman Gill was given the opportunity to bowl, despite conceding 14 runs in his solitary over. Bahutule emphasized that this strategy will continue to be implemented in the future."Our batters are good bowlers as well," Bahutule said. "They have the skills, even though their primary focus is batting."Bahutule cited the examples of Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh, who bowled in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He believes that having multiple bowling options, including part-time bowlers, is crucial in the shortest format of the game."It's going to be an all-rounder's game in the coming days," Bahutule said. "If one or two top-order batsmen can bowl, it will definitely help the team, depending on the pitch conditions and situations."Bahutule also acknowledged that Sri Lanka's spinners, Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka, used the pitch conditions to their advantage. He admitted that India could have capitalized on the strong start given by Rohit Sharma, who scored a superb 58 off 47 balls."We did bat well in patches, but we could have had few partnerships that would have taken us home with less wickets going," Bahutule said.Despite the tie, Bahutule praised India's bowling performance and expressed confidence in the team's ability to improve in the upcoming matches.

Dunith Wellalage, a rising star in Sri Lankan cricket, showcased his exceptional all-round abilities in the first ODI against India at Khettarama. Batting at number seven, the 21-year-old played a crucial innings of 67 not out off 65 deliveries, guiding Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 230 for 8.Wellalage's innings was a beacon of composure on a challenging pitch where no other batter looked entirely settled. He displayed a wide range of shots, including powerful boundaries, and drew inspiration from his teammate Pathum Nissanka, who has been in impressive form throughout the tour."I was watching Pathum Nissanka bat quite a lot," Wellalage said. "I put his batting in my mind as I came up with a plan. If you take the pitch, it was one that supported spin bowling. I tried to put as much pressure on the bowler and build partnerships."With the ball, Wellalage proved equally effective, claiming two crucial wickets for 39 runs in nine overs. He dismissed India's top scorer, Rohit Sharma, with a well-flighted delivery that beat the batsman in flight and struck him in front of the stumps.Wellalage's dismissal of Shubman Gill was equally impressive, as he deceived the opener with another flighted delivery that Gill top-edged to the keeper."We knew that the wicket was spinning," Wellalage explained. "So Charith Asalanka had told me that I would be bowling in the powerplay. I had good support from the wicket too.""With Rohit at the time, I was trying just to bowl wicket-to-wicket, because I knew how much assistance there was from the pitch."Wellalage's contributions with both bat and ball played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's ability to tie the match. His performance is a testament to his growing maturity and versatility as a cricketer.

India's thrilling run-chase in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday ended in a dramatic tie, with the visitors needing just one run to win with two wickets in hand.Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka (3 for 30) emerged as the unlikely hero, striking twice off successive deliveries to end the game in a bizarre fashion. Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh, who had the responsibility of finding the winning run, both fell victim to Asalanka's bowling.Sri Lanka had earlier posted a competitive 230 for 8 after opting to bat first, led by half-centuries from opener Pathum Nissanka (56) and Dunith Wellalage (67). India's disciplined bowling attack, led by Axar Patel's 2 for 33, kept the hosts in check.India's run-chase got off to a solid start, with skipper Rohit Sharma (58) and Shubman Gill (18) putting on a 75-run opening partnership. However, Wellalage's left-arm spin proved to be a game-changer, as he removed both openers in quick succession.Wanindu Hasaranga then kept India on the backfoot with his spell of 3 for 58, which included the crucial wickets of Virat Kohli (24) and KL Rahul (31). Axar (33) and Dube (25) kept India in the chase, but it wasn't enough.With just one run needed for victory, the last-wicket pair of Arshdeep and Mohammed Siraj had the task of finding the winning run. However, Arshdeep's attempt to hit a boundary proved costly, as he was adjudged lbw.Arshdeep's dismissal sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with some fans criticizing his decision-making while others came to his defense.

India's Spin Vulnerability Exposed in Thrilling Tie Against Sri LankaIndia's dominance in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Colombo was overshadowed by their vulnerability against quality spin bowling. Despite a blistering half-century from skipper Rohit Sharma, India's middle order faltered against a disciplined Sri Lankan spin attack, resulting in a thrilling tie.Chasing a modest target of 231, Rohit Sharma's 58 off 47 balls provided a solid foundation for India. However, his dismissal exposed India's fragility against spin. The pitch, which initially seemed benign, began to offer turn and variable bounce, troubling the Indian middle order.KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel all got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. Sri Lanka's spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Dunith Wellalage, and skipper Charith Asalanka, bowled with precision and guile, choking the run flow and picking up wickets at crucial junctures.Earlier, Sri Lanka, opting to bat first, were bolstered by crucial half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka and debutant Dunith Wellalage. Nissanka anchored the innings with a composed knock, while Wellalage displayed maturity and confidence beyond his years, guiding Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.The Indian bowlers, despite the eventual tie, performed admirably on a helpful surface. Mohammed Siraj struck early, while Shivam Dube, returning to ODIs after a five-year hiatus, impressed with a wicket. Kuldeep Yadav, though wicketless, bowled economically, keeping the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen.The match, ultimately ending in a tie thanks to late hitting from Shivam Dube, exposed India's over-reliance on Rohit Sharma and their susceptibility against spin. It served as a timely reminder that despite boasting a formidable batting lineup, India needs to address their vulnerability against spin bowling to achieve consistent success in the ODI format.

Rohit Sharma's Hilarious Exchange with Washington Sundar Highlights India's Dominance in Sri Lanka ODIIndian skipper Rohit Sharma's on-field banter with teammates and opponents has become a staple of cricket matches, and his latest exchange with Washington Sundar during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo was no exception.The incident occurred when Sundar was bowling to Sri Lankan batter Dunith Wellalage and appealed for LBW after hitting Wellalage's pad. Unsure whether the ball hit Wellalage's bat or pad first, Sundar looked at keeper KL Rahul and Rohit, at first slip, for guidance on whether to review the decision.Rahul quickly indicated that he wasn't sure, but Rohit's response was priceless. "What? You tell me. Mere ko kya dekh raha hai. Sab kya main karu tere liye?" (Why are you looking at me? Should I do everything for you?), he quipped from the first slip.The Indian players ultimately decided not to go for the review, but the exchange highlighted the camaraderie and light-hearted atmosphere within the Indian team.Despite the humorous moment, India's bowlers were in top form, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 230 for eight. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets each, while Mohammed Siraj, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, and Sundar each claimed one wicket.Pathum Nissanka (56) and Dunith Wellalage (67 not out) provided some resistance for Sri Lanka, but the Indian bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.The Indian batting lineup will now look to chase down the target and take an early lead in the three-match ODI series.