Cricket

India's Batting Woes Continue as Sri Lanka Clinch ODI SeriesIn a disappointing display, India's batting lineup crumbled against Sri Lanka's spin attack in the third and final ODI in Colombo. Chasing a competitive target of 249, India were bowled out for a mere 138, handing Sri Lanka a comprehensive 110-run victory and their first bilateral ODI series win over India since 1997.Despite a promising start from Rohit Sharma, India's batters fell prey to the guile of Sri Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana. Wellalage, who claimed a five-wicket haul, and Theekshana wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, with Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and debutant Riyan Parag all falling victim to their spin wizardry.Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted a competitive total of 248/7, thanks to a well-paced 96 from opener Avishka Fernando and a solid contribution from Kusal Mendis (59). Fernando's innings laid the foundation for Sri Lanka, as he shared crucial partnerships with Pathum Nissanka (45) and Mendis.India's bowling effort was led by debutant Riyan Parag, who picked up three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav provided valuable support. However, the Sri Lankan batters managed to capitalize on the Indian bowlers' inconsistencies, with Mohammed Siraj proving expensive.The series victory marked a significant achievement for Sri Lanka, as they had not won a bilateral ODI series against India since 1997. The result also highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian team on turning tracks, as acknowledged by Maheesh Theekshana in his post-match comments."We knew they are used to small grounds and good wickets in India. So they would struggle on a big Premadasa ground. We knew we could get an advantage with some turn on the wicket, and we have good spinners," Theekshana said after the win.

With the ODI series against Sri Lanka hanging in the balance, the Indian cricket team intensified their preparations on Tuesday ahead of the crucial third and final ODI in Colombo on Wednesday. The first ODI ended in a thrilling tie last Friday, while Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the second ODI by 32 runs on Sunday.Under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, India is determined to avoid their first series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video on their official Twitter handle showcasing the Rohit Sharma-led team practicing diligently under the watchful eyes of interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate, and Abhishek Nayar.Bahutule emphasized the team's focus on addressing areas of improvement, particularly in bowling. "We've been working on certain areas that we need to improve on, and the bowlers have been trying to implement a specific pattern of bowling," he said. "We're trying to find solutions to match that and overcome the challenges."According to reports, Rohit Sharma participated in practice but did not bat. Rishabh Pant showcased his aggressive batting against the spinners in the nets, while Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul had extended batting sessions. Notably, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh did not bowl during the practice session.Ryan ten Doeschate highlighted the team's efforts to learn from their mistakes in the first two games. "We're trying to be specific and learn from the mistakes we made in the first couple of games," he said. "The conditions have been tough, but the guys have come up with their own plans. We're trying to create a positive environment where the players can express themselves and showcase their abilities."With the second match ending in a loss, India faces a dilemma between fielding their strongest XI or experimenting ahead of the next major ICC tournament, which is scheduled to take place in just six months.Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the setback. "As Indians, we are emotional people," he said. "When we don't get the results we want, it brings out the passion and integrity of each individual. Every cricketer in that dressing room knows what's at stake, and that often brings out the best in the team."A loss in the third ODI would be a disappointing outcome for the newly appointed Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff, who took over a team that had been performing exceptionally well in ODI cricket less than a year ago. Despite their early success, they would be eager to avoid ending their two-week tour of Sri Lanka with more questions than answers.

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.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has returned home after leading the team to a series sweep over Sri Lanka. Yadav, who is not part of the ODI leg of the tour, expressed his excitement for the upcoming matches and anticipation for Rohit Sharma's signature one-liners."All the best for ODIs, I will watch the complete series and will wait for your one-liners," Yadav said in a video shared by the BCCI. "I know you will be standing near the stump mic, there are several new guys in the team. Hopefully, we will get to listen to several more one-liners."Yadav's appointment as India's full-time T20I skipper sparked debate before the BCCI announced the white-ball squads for the Sri Lanka tour. However, Yadav's performance in the T20I leg, where India whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0, silenced the critics.In the final match of the series, Yadav emerged as an unlikely bowling hero. With Sri Lanka needing just six runs to win in the last over, Yadav brought himself on to bowl and picked up two wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to five runs and forcing a 'Super Over' tie-breaker. Yadav's boundary in the 'Super Over' ultimately sealed India's victory.With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the squad for the ODIs, India will aim to maintain their winning momentum. The first ODI will be played on Friday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, followed by the second and third matches on July 4 and 7 at the same venue.

Sri Lanka's ODI squad against India has been further depleted by injuries, with fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka ruled out. The duo joins Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara on the sidelines, leaving the hosts with a depleted bowling attack.Pathirana, who impressed in the recent T20 World Cup, suffered a shoulder complaint while fielding in the third T20I against India. The injury is a recurrence of the issue that plagued him during last year's World Cup, prompting the team management to err on the side of caution.Madushanka, on the other hand, sustained a hamstring injury during training. He played only one match in the T20I series, but was expected to feature in the ODI squad.Sri Lanka have called up uncapped right-arm seamer Mohamed Shiraz as a replacement for Pathirana. The team is also expected to announce the inclusion of another seamer later on Thursday.The injuries have come as a major blow to Sri Lanka, who have lost their last 10 matches across formats against India. The hosts will be desperate to break their losing streak in the upcoming ODI series, but they will need to find a way to compensate for the absence of their key bowlers.

Virat Kohli's Practice Session Interrupted by Fan's TauntIndian cricket star Virat Kohli was visibly annoyed during a practice session in Sri Lanka when a fan addressed him as "Chokli." The incident occurred as Kohli was practicing with his teammates in a room.As Kohli focused on his drills, the fan began shouting "Chokli-Chokli," a derogatory term used to mock the batsman. Kohli immediately turned to face the fan, his expression clearly displeased.Kohli arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday for a three-match ODI series against the host nation. Due to rain in Colombo, the initial practice session was canceled. However, Kohli participated in his first net session since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.The incident highlights the challenges faced by high-profile athletes who often encounter unwanted attention and disrespectful behavior from fans. Kohli, known for his intense focus and competitive spirit, was clearly disturbed by the fan's taunts.Despite the interruption, Kohli is expected to play a key role in India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. With the 2025 Champions Trophy just seven months away, Kohli will be eager to showcase his best performance and help India secure another ICC trophy.Kohli has an impressive record against Sri Lanka in ODIs, having scored 2594 runs in 53 matches at an average of 63.26. He has scored 10 centuries and 12 half-centuries against the island nation.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir Bury the Hatchet, Unite for Team India's SuccessThe recent training session of the Indian cricket team in Colombo has sparked optimism among fans and the cricket fraternity. Former captain Virat Kohli and new head coach Gautam Gambhir were seen engaging in a friendly conversation, signaling a positive shift in their relationship.Kohli, who recently joined the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, was observed having a lengthy chat with Gambhir. The laughter shared between the two former teammates suggested that they have put their past differences aside and are committed to working together for the success of Team India.The images of their interaction were widely circulated on social media, including by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise, which Kohli represents. The RCB's caption read, "Our seasoned right-arm quick convincing the gaffer to give him the new ball."The Rajasthan Royals also shared the images, commenting, "Can't unsee it." The International Cricket Council joined in on Instagram, captioning a photo of Gambhir laughing with, "Why is Gautam Gambhir going?" followed by a laughing emoji.Kohli's return to the team marks his first appearance since announcing his retirement from T20Is following India's triumph at the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma, who also took a break after the tournament, has rejoined the squad.Interestingly, Gambhir had initially urged the senior players to make themselves available for the ODI series in Sri Lanka, despite reports suggesting they might not participate. Both Kohli and Rohit were subsequently named in the squad.Before the ODIs, the Indian team led by Suryakumar Yadav defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in the T20Is. Yadav was appointed as India's T20I captain after the T20 World Cup.The positive atmosphere within the team and the reconciliation between Kohli and Gambhir have raised hopes for a successful ODI series against Sri Lanka. The team's unity and determination will be crucial as they aim to continue their winning streak and maintain their dominance in the sport.

Indian Cricket Team Prepares for ODI Series in Sri Lanka Amidst Rain ConcernsAfter securing a resounding 3-0 victory in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, the Indian cricket team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, has shifted its focus to the upcoming ODI series, which commences in Colombo on Friday.On Sunday, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer arrived in Sri Lanka and immediately commenced practice sessions on Wednesday in preparation for the ODIs. However, a recently surfaced video has captured a moment before the practice session, revealing a brief exchange between KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.In the video, Rahul appears to express concerns about the threat of rain, attempting to convey his worries to Rohit Sharma, who arrives for the nets session with Iyer. Despite the lack of audio in the video, Rohit's response seems to be a nonchalant smile, dismissing Rahul's concerns in his characteristic style. Rohit's reaction elicits smiles from his teammates present at the practice session.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) subsequently shared images from the training session on its official Twitter handle, showcasing the team's preparations for the ODI series.The Indian team will be eager to maintain its winning momentum in the ODI series, having dominated the T20I leg of the tour. The ODI series presents a different set of challenges, and the team will need to adapt quickly to the longer format.Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, will be crucial to the team's success in the ODIs. His leadership and batting prowess will be vital in guiding the team to victory. Virat Kohli, the former captain, will also be expected to play a significant role, with his experience and ability to score runs consistently.The ODI series against Sri Lanka will be a valuable opportunity for the Indian team to fine-tune its preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in India later this year. The team will be keen to build on its recent successes and establish itself as a formidable force in the 50-over format.

The Sri Lankan cricket team has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against India, set to commence on August 2. This squad, approved by Harin Fernando, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, will take on India at the Premadasa Stadium, with subsequent matches scheduled for August 4 and 7.Among the selected players, senior all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne, alongside young batsmen Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka, has been called up to represent the national team in this series.Chamika Karunaratne, known for his versatility and experience, brings a wealth of skill to the team, potentially offering both batting and bowling solutions. On the other hand, Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka, despite being relatively new to the international scene, have shown promise in their previous outings. Liyanage has appeared in nine ODIs, while Madushka has participated in eight Tests, indicating their growing experience at the international level.The squad for the series is led by Charith Asalanka, with Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama being notable inclusions, suggesting a blend of youth and experience. The team also features all-rounders such as Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis, who are expected to play crucial roles with both bat and ball.The bowling department includes Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, and Asitha Fernando, offering a mix of spin and pace options.The inclusion of Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, and Nishan Madushka in the squad highlights the selectors' confidence in their abilities to perform at the highest level.