Cricket

The Indian men's cricket team, led by newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, embarked on their tour of Sri Lanka with a warm welcome in Pallekele. The team, comprising 15 members and support staff, arrived via Colombo after a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai.India will engage in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, who are yet to announce their squad. The first T20I will be played on July 27, followed by matches on July 28 and 30. The team will then proceed to Colombo for three One-day Internationals scheduled for August 2, 4, and 7.The Suryakumar-led side features several young players, including vice-captain Shubman Gill. However, it lacks the experience of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, who retired from T20Is after India's triumph in the T20 World Cup.Suryakumar's appointment as T20 captain over Hardik Pandya was based on his fitness and feedback from the dressing room. The team also boasts experienced players such as Sanju Samson, Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh.Gambhir, who took over from Rahul Dravid as national coach, expressed his excitement about the tour. "We are looking forward to the challenge of playing in Sri Lanka," he said. "We have a young and talented team, and we are confident that we can perform well."Yadav, the newly appointed captain, echoed Gambhir's sentiments. "It is an honor to lead the Indian team," he said. "We have a great team, and we are ready to give our best."The Indian team's arrival in Sri Lanka has generated significant buzz among fans. The players were greeted with enthusiasm and warmth, and they took the opportunity to interact with their supporters.

Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana, two of India's most celebrated cricketers, have been honored by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the "ICC Men's Player of the Month" and "ICC Women's Player of the Month" for June, respectively.Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup, where he claimed 15 wickets and was named Player of the Tournament, earned him the men's award. He was instrumental in India's historic triumph, becoming the first team to win the tournament without losing a single game.Mandhana, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in India's ODI series sweep over South Africa. She scored 343 runs at an average of 114.33, including two centuries, and was named Player of the Series. Her consistent batting helped India secure a comfortable victory in the three-match series.Bumrah expressed his delight at receiving the award, stating, "It's a special honor for me following a memorable few weeks spent in the USA and West Indies. We have had a lot to celebrate as a team, and I'm delighted to be able to add this personal accolade to the list."Mandhana also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I'm really glad to have won the ICC Women's Player of the Month for June. I'm really happy with the way the team has performed and I'm happy to have contributed."Both Bumrah and Mandhana have been praised for their exceptional skills and dedication to the sport. Their performances have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired aspiring cricketers around the world.

England's women's cricket team has welcomed a rising star to their ranks, with 20-year-old seamer Ryana MacDonald-Gay receiving her maiden senior call-up for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.MacDonald-Gay, who has impressed with her performances for South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, has been added to the 14-player squad as cover due to minor injuries within the group.The young bowler has a proven track record, having represented England at Under-19 and England A levels. In the current season's Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, she has emerged as the second-leading wicket-taker, claiming 12 wickets at an impressive average of 11.75.England head coach Jon Lewis praised MacDonald-Gay's abilities, stating, "Ryana has been a standout bowler in domestic 50-over cricket and had a good 50-over tour of New Zealand with our England A team. We have brought her in at this point as we have a couple of niggles in the squad. We have been really impressed with her skill level and accuracy."MacDonald-Gay's journey in cricket began at the tender age of 15 when she made her debut for Kent. She has since represented Oval Invincibles in the Women's Hundred, showcasing her versatility across different formats.During England A's tour of New Zealand in March, MacDonald-Gay made a significant impact, taking six wickets in two 50-over matches and five wickets in two T20s. Her performances caught the attention of the national selectors, leading to her inclusion in the senior squad.MacDonald-Gay's addition to the team adds depth to England's bowling attack and provides them with a promising young talent for the future. She is expected to join the squad in Durham on Tuesday ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

Gautam Gambhir's potential appointment as India's head coach has sparked speculation about the future of Shreyas Iyer's international career. Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL glory, could be in line for a recall to the national team for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in July-August.Gambhir, who mentored Iyer at KKR, is considered a strong contender for the India coach position. Under his guidance, Iyer flourished as a 50-over batter, amassing over 500 runs in the World Cup and averaging close to 50.Despite being dropped from BCCI's central contracts due to his absence from the Ranji Trophy, Iyer has maintained that a lower back injury prevented him from playing. However, his impressive performances in the IPL have kept him in contention for a national team recall.Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Iyer is not currently training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where young players are preparing for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. However, they believe that he has a strong chance of being selected for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah expected to focus on ODIs and Tests, the T20I series against Zimbabwe could provide opportunities for new faces. IPL stars like Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed are likely to be included in the squad.If Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are not rested, they are expected to be named captain and vice-captain for the Zimbabwe tour. Both players have been in impressive form since the start of the IPL.

Australia's dominance over Bangladesh continued in the third and final ODI in Dhaka, as they secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory to complete a clean sweep of the series.Opting to bowl first, Australia's opening bowlers Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's top order. Garth dismissed Fargana Hoque and Sumaiya Akter for ducks, while Perry removed Murshida Khatun for 8. Bangladesh's innings never gained momentum, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.Captain Nigar Sultana top-scored for Bangladesh with a gritty 16 off 39 deliveries, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide any substantial support. Garth finished with impressive figures of 3 for 11, while Ash Gardner (3 for 25), Perry (2 for 17), and Sophie Molineux (2 for 23) shared the remaining wickets.Australia's chase was a formality, as Alyssa Healy (33), Perry (27*), and Beth Mooney (21*) guided them to victory in just 18.3 overs. Healy fell leg before to Rabeya Khatun, while Phoebe Litchfield was caught and bowled by Sultana Khatun for 12.Gardner's outstanding performance throughout the series earned her the Player-of-the-Series award. She claimed 3 for 22 and scored 32 in the first ODI, and in the second, she took 2 for 22 and made an unbeaten 20.Australia's victory extends their unbeaten streak against Bangladesh in ODIs to 10 matches. The two teams will now face off in a three-match T20I series, starting on March 31 in Dhaka.

Afghanistan's cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland in Sharjah, with two uncapped players making their senior debuts. Mystery spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Nangeyalia Kharote have been included in the squad, while senior spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman continue to recover from injuries.Ghazanfar, a talented young cricketer, impressed during the Under-19 World Cup and will provide cover for Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the ODI series. Kharote, also a former Under-19 World Cup player, brings versatility to the team with his all-round abilities.Fast bowler Bilal Sami, who was among the reserves for Afghanistan's recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, has been promoted to the main squad. Sami, who has played 10 List A games, has taken 23 wickets at an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 6.21.Wristspinner Qais Ahmad, who struggled for control in Sri Lanka, has been demoted to the reserves. Zia Ur Rahman and Shahidullah Kamal are the other reserve players in the side.Afghanistan's squad for the ODI series against Ireland is as follows:* Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)* Rahmat Shah (vice-capt)* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)* Ikram Alikhil (wk)* Ibrahim Zadran* Riaz Hassan* Azmatullah Omarzai* Mohammad Nabi* Gulbadin Naib* Nangeyalia Kharote* Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar* Noor Ahmad* Bilal Sami* Fazal Haq Farooqi* Naveed Zadran* Farid Ahmad MalikReserves:* Zia Ur Rahman* Shahidullah Kamal* Qais Ahmad