Cricket

With India's ODI series against Sri Lanka approaching, the availability of senior players remains uncertain. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have reportedly requested an extended break after the T20 World Cup, but new head coach Gautam Gambhir is opposed to this proposal.Hardik Pandya has also joined the list of unavailable players, citing personal reasons. However, Gambhir is keen on Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah participating in the ODI series. He has reportedly conveyed to the trio that the team will have a significant break after the Sri Lanka assignment, and he expects them to be available.The players have yet to respond to Gambhir's plea. Rohit and Kohli have already taken breaks and traveled abroad with their families. India's ODI series against Sri Lanka begins on August 2 and concludes on August 7. The team will then face England in an ODI series in February 2024.The gap between these series is five months, providing ample time for the senior players to rest and recover. After the England series, India will participate in the Champions Trophy, which is expected to be held in Pakistan, the UAE, or Sri Lanka.Gambhir's stance on the availability of senior players reflects his desire to build a strong and competitive ODI team. He believes that the experience and leadership of Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah are crucial for the team's success.The players' decision to prioritize personal commitments over national duty has sparked debate among fans and experts. Some argue that the players deserve a break after a grueling schedule, while others believe that they should make themselves available for the country whenever possible.Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to participate in the ODI series rests with the players. However, Gambhir's clear message to the trio indicates that he expects them to prioritize the team's needs.

India's Historic ODI Debut: A Golden Jubilee RetrospectiveOn July 1, 1974, India embarked on a new chapter in its cricketing history with its inaugural One-Day International (ODI) match. The historic encounter took place at Headingley, Leeds, against a formidable England side.India's debut ODI was a memorable affair, marked by both triumph and adversity. The home team, led by Mike Denness, won the toss and elected to bat first. England amassed a formidable total of 268/7, with John Edrich, the former Surrey and England cricketer, leading the charge with a match-winning 82.In response, India's batting lineup faced a stern test. Despite a valiant effort from Brijesh Patel, who scored a gritty 82, the Indian batsmen struggled to keep pace with England's bowlers. The team was eventually dismissed for 224, falling short by 44 runs.While the result may have been disappointing, India's ODI debut was a significant milestone in its cricketing journey. The match featured several notable players who would go on to become legends of the game. Sunil Gavaskar and Madan Lal, two members of the famed "Spin Quartet," represented India, while Robin Jackman, born in Shimla to a British father, made his international debut for England.India's first ODI success came in the 1975 Prudential World Cup, where they defeated East Africa, a team that is no longer a regular member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Over the years, India has become a dominant force in ODI cricket, winning 559 of its 1055 matches played as of June 2024.The most frequent opponent for India in ODIs has been Sri Lanka, with the two teams facing off 168 times. India's ODI journey has been a testament to the skill, determination, and passion of its players. The Golden Jubilee of India's first ODI serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of a cricketing powerhouse that has captivated fans worldwide.

Australia's T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming tours of Scotland and England have been announced, marking a shift towards the future. Perth Scorchers allrounder Cooper Connolly has earned his maiden international call-up for the T20I series, while Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads.Connolly, despite limited domestic T20 experience, impressed in the 2022-23 BBL final, securing the title for the Scorchers. His impressive strike rate of 145.80 and strong performance on his Sheffield Shield debut have earned him a spot in the national team.Mitchell Marsh will continue as captain for both the T20I and ODI sides, with Pat Cummins rested for the entire tour. Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will miss the T20Is but will join the squad for the ODIs. Matthew Short, who was a traveling reserve at the T20 World Cup, will remain at home for the birth of his first child before joining for the five one-dayers against England.Ashton Agar and Matthew Wade have been dropped from the T20I squad, while David Warner has retired from international cricket. Fraser-McGurk is expected to establish himself as Warner's successor at the top of the order in both limited-overs formats.In the T20I squad, Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson will join Josh Hazlewood in the pace attack. Allrounders Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie are included across both formats, with Green likely to see more opportunities. Josh Inglis will replace Wade as the wicketkeeper in T20Is."This tour gives us a great opportunity to bring in some new players and give senior players time to prepare for the home summer," said national selector George Bailey. "We are particularly pleased to offer Cooper his first opportunity in the T20 squad."With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the white-ball series against Pakistan and a home Test series against India, the selectors have invested in integrating new players into the squad. Alex Carey returns to the ODI squad as Inglis' understudy.

Rohit Sharma, the charismatic captain of the Indian cricket team, has quashed rumors of his imminent retirement from international cricket. In a recent public appearance, Rohit addressed a question from the crowd regarding his retirement plans, eliciting a thunderous cheer from the audience.Rohit's emphatic response, "I don't look that far ahead," has put to rest speculation that he may be considering retiring from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) after his decision to step down from T20I cricket. "So clearly you will see me playing at least for a while," he added, reassuring fans of his continued presence on the international stage.Rohit's decision to retire from T20Is came after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados in June 2023. The victory marked a historic moment for Indian cricket, and Rohit expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have led the team to such a prestigious title."This was my last (T20I) game as well," Rohit had said after the thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final. "No better time to say goodbye to this format. I've loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted, I wanted to win the Cup. I wanted this badly. Very hard to put in words. It was a very emotional moment for me. I was very desperate for this title in my life. Happy that we eventually crossed the line."Rohit's legacy in T20I cricket is unparalleled. He holds the record for the most runs scored in the format, with an impressive tally of 4231 runs in 159 appearances. His exceptional batting prowess is further evidenced by his record-breaking achievement of scoring the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals.As Rohit continues his illustrious career in ODIs and Test cricket, fans can expect to witness more of his exceptional leadership and match-winning performances. His unwavering determination and passion for the game will undoubtedly inspire generations of cricketers to come.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an updated schedule for the Indian cricket team's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The revised itinerary has shifted the matches by a single day, with the tour now commencing on July 27, a day later than the originally planned start date of July 26.India will be playing three T20 Internationals and three ODIs across July to August. The T20Is will be held at Pallekele on July 27, 28, and 30, while the ODIs will be played at Colombo on August 2, 4, and 7.The Indian team, under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, will begin the series with the T20Is at Pallekele. The one-dayers will be played in Colombo.The BCCI has not yet announced the Indian team for the upcoming tour, but it is anticipated that experienced players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be given a break for the ODI leg. It is likely that Hardik Pandya will captain the T20I team, while KL Rahul may be appointed as the ODI captain.Gambhir, who recently took over from Rahul Dravid as head coach, will be in charge during the tour. Dravid, who guided India to their second T20 World Cup victory in the Americas, has passed the baton to Gambhir.Sri Lanka will also have a new coach in Sanath Jayasuriya, who replaces Chris Silverwood. Furthermore, following Wanindu Hasaranga's resignation on Thursday, Sri Lanka will be led by a new captain. Sri Lanka have not yet announced the name of their new captain, who will be tasked with leading the team in the upcoming bilateral series against India.The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka will be a crucial test for the Indian team under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The team will be looking to build on their recent success in the T20 World Cup and continue their dominance in the ODI format. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be looking to make a statement under their new coach and captain. The series promises to be an exciting and competitive one, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.

Jasprit Bumrah's devastating spell of 6 for 19 in the first ODI against England at The Oval on July 12, 2022, stands as a testament to his exceptional bowling prowess. It was the best performance by an Indian bowler outside Asia, decimating the hosts and laying the foundation for a comprehensive Indian victory.Bumrah's opening burst was a masterclass in swing and seam bowling. He dismissed Jason Roy and Joe Root for ducks in his first over, sending shockwaves through the English batting lineup. Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingston followed suit, leaving England reeling at 26 for 4.Mohammed Shami complemented Bumrah's brilliance from the other end, claiming 3 for 31. Bumrah returned for his second spell and continued his demolition, clean-bowling Brydon Carse and David Willey to complete his six-wicket haul. England were bundled out for a paltry 110 in just 25.2 overs.Bumrah's spell of 7.2 overs, 3 maidens, 19 runs, and 6 wickets was a statistical masterpiece. It showcased his ability to generate movement and accuracy, making him a formidable force in any conditions.The Indian openers, led by captain Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 76, made light work of the chase. Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (31*) forged an unbroken 114-run partnership to secure a dominant 10-wicket victory.Bumrah's heroics in the first ODI continued his impressive run of form. He was instrumental in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph, where he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker.With 149 wickets in 89 ODIs at an average of 23.55 and an economy rate of 4.59, Bumrah has established himself as one of the most potent bowlers in the world. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a nightmare for batsmen.

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.

England Under-19s secured a thrilling 30-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Hove, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.Freddie McCann's magnificent 174-run knock propelled England to a formidable total of 360 for 7. The left-hander's innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring 22 boundaries and three sixes. Noah Thain provided valuable support with a well-crafted 66.Sri Lanka's chase got off to a promising start, with Pulindu Perera and Gayana Weerasinghe forging a 110-run partnership. However, McCann's diving catch to dismiss Weerasinghe off Farhan Ahmed's bowling proved to be a turning point.Perera's dismissal for 64 left Sri Lanka in a precarious position. Despite a valiant effort from Luc Benkenstein, who claimed four wickets, the Sri Lankan batsmen struggled to keep up with the required run rate. They were eventually bowled out for 330 in 49.2 overs.England's innings had begun steadily, with McCann and Thain laying the foundation with a 127-run partnership. Thain's impressive 66 included eight fours and a six.After Thain's departure, McCann accelerated his scoring, reaching his century in 97 balls. He continued to dominate the Sri Lankan bowlers, hitting boundaries at will. Charlie Allison (46) and Dom Kelly (32 not out) provided valuable contributions in the latter stages of the innings.Dinura Kalupahana was the most successful Sri Lankan bowler, claiming five wickets for 81 runs. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent England from securing a crucial victory.

Maia Bouchier's maiden international century was a testament to her newfound confidence and maturity as a batter. The 25-year-old had twice reached the 90s before, but had never managed to convert it into a three-figure score.In the second ODI against New Zealand at Worcester, Bouchier was determined to break that barrier. She had already played a key role in England's victory, bowling the visitors out for a mere 141 thanks to her 5 for 25.With England needing just eight more runs to win, Bouchier was adjudged not out lbw on 92. The decision was a huge relief for the batter, who admitted that her heart rate was "going through the roof."Undeterred, Bouchier continued to play with composure and determination. She scampered two runs off the next ball, then two singles took her past her previous best of 95.With four runs still needed to win, Bouchier struck a boundary through midwicket to seal the victory for England. It was a moment of pure joy for the batter, who was mobbed by her teammates."I've just started to trust myself more and I've got a lot more confidence in the way I play," Bouchier said after the match. "That's a big thing for me. I time the ball quite well and that's one of my big strengths, so using those as much as I can."Bouchier's century is a sign of her growing maturity as a batter. She has established herself at the top of the order for England and is now one of their most reliable performers.