Cricket

Former Indian cricket star Vinod Kambli's recent health struggles have raised concerns among fans and the cricketing community. A video circulating on social media shows Kambli struggling to walk, prompting speculation about his well-being.Kambli, who played over 100 ODIs and 17 Tests for India, has been battling health issues for some time. The video, which has not been independently verified by NDTV, shows him disoriented and unable to maintain his balance. Some social media users suggested he was intoxicated, while others attributed his condition to his deteriorating health.Kambli's illustrious career saw him amass nearly 10,000 runs in First Class cricket, with a top score of 262. His left-handed batting prowess made him a formidable force in the Indian team.Meanwhile, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma continues to dominate in ODI cricket. In the second ODI against Sri Lanka, Sharma scored a blistering 66 off just 44 balls, surpassing Rahul Dravid to become India's fourth-highest run-getter in the format.Sharma's half-century in the second ODI followed a similar performance in the first match. With 10,831 runs in 264 ODIs, he boasts an impressive average of 49.23 and a strike rate of 92.29. His 31 centuries and 57 fifties include a career-best score of 264.As an opener, Sharma has also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar for the most fifty-plus scores for India in international cricket. With 43 centuries and 78 fifties, he has 121 fifty-plus scores as an opener, one more than Tendulkar's 120.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has cemented his status as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time, surpassing Rahul Dravid to become India's fourth-highest run-getter in the format. In the second ODI against Sri Lanka, Rohit notched up another half-century, continuing his dominant run in the 50-over format.With a blistering 66 off just 44 balls, Rohit now has 10,831 ODI runs to his name, surpassing Dravid's tally of 10,768. The Indian opener has achieved this feat in 264 matches, averaging an impressive 49.23 with a strike rate of 92.29. His 31 centuries and 57 fifties are a testament to his consistency and longevity at the highest level.Rohit's latest half-century also saw him overtake Sachin Tendulkar as the Indian opener with the most fifty-plus scores in international cricket. With 43 centuries and 78 fifties, Rohit has amassed 121 fifty-plus scores as an opener, just one more than Tendulkar's 120.The Indian skipper has been in scintillating form in recent times, particularly in the first 10 overs of ODI matches. His fourth fifty within the first 10 overs of a match brings him closer to Virender Sehwag's record of seven such fifties. Rohit has also been a six-hitting machine, smashing 54 sixes in the first 10 overs of an ODI since January 2023, more than double the tally of his nearest rival, David Warner.In the second ODI against Sri Lanka, Rohit's innings helped India chase down a target of 241 with ease. Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, and Dunith Wellalage played crucial roles in Sri Lanka's total, but Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav's bowling efforts restricted the visitors to a manageable score.Rohit Sharma's continued dominance in ODI cricket is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As he continues to break records and lead India to victories, he further cements his place among the all-time greats of the game.

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.

Shikhar Dhawan Recalls Fond Memories with Rohit Sharma on Friendship DayOn the occasion of Friendship Day, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan shared heartwarming anecdotes about his camaraderie with India captain Rohit Sharma. In a video released by Star Sports, Dhawan expressed his admiration for Sharma, calling him his favorite opening partner."I have opened with him for 8-10 years, so I have a strong bond with him. He is a gem of a person," said Dhawan.Dhawan recalled a particular moment that brought them closer on the field. "He used to like it a lot whenever I sang one particular song, 'putt jattan de bulaonde bakre'. So he would look at me and then sing the same song. It's one moment that repeated often."Dhawan sang a few lines from the song, which he used to sing and then laugh.Despite his absence from the national team for over a year, Dhawan remains a respected figure in Indian cricket. He has played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India, scoring 2315, 6793, and 1759 runs respectively.Dhawan's bond with Sharma extends beyond the cricket field. They have been friends for many years and share a mutual respect for each other's abilities.

DRS Confusion Irks Rohit Sharma in Sri Lanka vs India ODIDuring the first ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, a controversial DRS (decision review system) incident involving a wide call left Indian captain Rohit Sharma visibly frustrated.In the 14th over of Sri Lanka's innings, Shivam Dube bowled a delivery down the leg side to Pathum Nissanka. The ball missed Nissanka's bat and flicked his thigh pad on its way to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. The Indian players appealed for a catch, but the umpire ruled it not out.To everyone's surprise, the umpire then signaled a wide. Captain Rohit had a brief conversation with Rahul before deciding not to review the decision. However, as Rohit was returning to the field, he overheard a player saying that he had heard a sound."You should know whether the bat is far from the pad or not. If the bat is away, then he is saying there is a noise for sure," Rohit said, expressing his annoyance.Rahul responded by saying, "In IPL, the reviews can be taken for wides, that's why he is saying."In the Indian Premier League (IPL), teams are allowed to review wide decisions. This rule does not apply in international cricket, which may have contributed to the confusion.The incident highlighted the complexities of the DRS system and the challenges umpires face in making split-second decisions. It also raised questions about the consistency of the DRS process across different formats of the game.Despite the DRS controversy, the match itself was a thrilling tie. Sri Lanka posted a competitive 230 for 8, thanks to half-centuries from Dunith Wellalage and Pathum Nissanka. India's chase was led by Rohit Sharma's 58, but they ultimately fell short of the target.

India and Sri Lanka, locked in a thrilling series, are set to face off in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the R. Premadasa International Stadium on Sunday. The match comes after two nail-biting encounters, with both teams tying one game each.In the first ODI, India's bowlers impressed, led by skipper Rohit Sharma's aggressive opening spell. The team's new strategy of fielding multiple left-handed batters, including Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube, was also evident. However, the hosts' fragile middle order struggled against India's spinners, leaving them vulnerable to collapse.As the teams prepare for the second ODI, the focus will be on maintaining clinical execution and avoiding costly mistakes. The pitch for the first game favored spinners, making it difficult to score boundaries. It remains to be seen if the conditions will be similar for Sunday's match.India will be keen to capitalize on their momentum and secure a victory. Rohit Sharma, who returned to ODIs after the World Cup final, will be looking to continue his impressive form. The team's batting lineup, which includes Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, will be expected to deliver.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back and level the series. Their middle order, which has been a concern, will need to step up and provide support to the top order. The team will also rely on their experienced bowlers, including Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne, to restrict India's scoring.With both teams eager to gain an advantage, the second ODI promises to be another intense and closely contested affair. The match will start at 2.30 p.m. IST.

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.

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.