Cricket

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.

Rinku Singh Bags 'Fielder of the Series' Award as India Triumphs in T20I Series Against Sri LankaIndia's resounding 3-0 victory against Sri Lanka in the T20I series marked a promising start for Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach. The series triumph was sealed with an exhilarating display in the final match on Tuesday.Among the standout performers was Rinku Singh, who was honored with the 'Fielder of the Series' award for his exceptional fielding efforts throughout the series. His crucial catches in the decisive third T20I played a significant role in India's dominant performance.The BCCI shared a video on their official Twitter handle, showcasing the medal ceremony that takes place in the dressing room following each game. During the post-match ceremony, India head coach T Dilip revealed the nominees for the 'Fielder of the Series' award, which included Ravi Bishnoi, Rinku Singh, and Riyan Parag. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, ultimately presented the 'Fielder of the Series' medal to Rinku Singh, acknowledging his remarkable fielding efforts.Washington Sundar was recognized as the Player of the Match for his performance in the final game, while Suryakumar Yadav was awarded the Player of the Series title for his outstanding contributions across the matches.The series victory not only showcased the impressive skills of the Indian players but also marked a promising start to Gambhir's tenure as the head coach. The team's ability to adapt to different conditions and execute their plans effectively bodes well for their future prospects.

In a thrilling conclusion to the three-match T20I series, India secured a 3-0 sweep over Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Tuesday. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh emerged as unlikely heroes with the ball, orchestrating a remarkable collapse that handed India the victory.Chasing a modest target of 138, Sri Lanka appeared in control at 110 for 1 in the 15th over. However, Suryakumar and Rinku turned the tide with two game-changing overs. Suryakumar, bowling the 20th over, defended six runs successfully by taking two wickets in his first two balls. Rinku, in a pressure-filled 19th over, bagged two crucial wickets, including that of Kusal Perera, when Sri Lanka needed just nine runs from 12 balls.The two incredible overs from Rinku and Suryakumar stopped the Lankans on 137, taking the game into the Super Over. Washington Sundar then shone in the Super Over, giving away only two runs and taking two wickets. Suryakumar sealed the win with a sweeping shot on the first ball he faced in the Super Over.Suryakumar's strategic move of introducing Rinku in the 19th over proved decisive. Rinku's dismissal of Perera, who had scored 46 runs, came just when Sri Lanka appeared to have the match secured.Earlier, India had posted 137 for 9, with Shubman Gill (39 off 37 balls) and Riyan Parag (26 off 18 balls) stitching a crucial 54-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Sri Lankan spinners effectively restrained the Indian batters on a pitch offering significant turn and variable bounce.Despite the challenges, Gill adjusted his play style, curbing his natural attacking instincts, and Parag showcased his potential with explosive shots. However, both fell attempting glory shots.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, missed the services of their premier pacer Matheesha Pathirana due to a shoulder injury. Skipper Charith Asalanka effectively used their four-pronged spin attack, maintaining pressure on Indian batsmen and taking wickets at regular intervals.

Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, chose to bowl first in the third and final T20I against India in Pallekele. The match, delayed by rain and a wet outfield, was played on a fresh pitch expected to favor spinners.Sri Lanka, seeking to avoid a series whitewash, made one change, introducing debutant Chamindu Wickramasinghe in place of Dasun Shanaka. India, on the other hand, made four changes to ensure all squad members received playing time. Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Khaleel Ahmed made their series debuts, replacing Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh.The Indian batting lineup featured Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed.Sri Lanka's batting order consisted of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (captain), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, and Matheesha Pathirana.With the match underway, both teams aimed to establish a strong start and secure a series victory or avoid a clean sweep. The outcome of the match will determine the overall result of the T20I series between India and Sri Lanka.

India's cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, will commence training on Monday in Colombo for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 2. The Indian contingent, including Rohit, Kohli, and newcomer Harshit Rana, arrived in Colombo on Sunday after the T20I team, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, played the final T20I in Pallekele on Tuesday.Rohit, Kohli, and Kuldeep Yadav will return to action after nearly a month since their pivotal roles in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup held in the Americas, marking India's second victory in the tournament. The ODI series against Sri Lanka will also witness the return of Shreyas Iyer to the national squad, who last played a limited-overs match for India against South Africa in December 2023.Joining the team is Delhi all-rounder Harshit Rana, who was part of the IPL-winning Kolkata Knight Riders squad earlier this year. The players will train under the supervision of India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in Colombo, as per a PTI report.The three ODIs will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The first match is scheduled for August 2, followed by the second and third matches on August 4 and 7, respectively.

India, under the leadership of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to complete a series whitewash against Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I on Tuesday. Having secured the series with dominant victories in the first two games, India remains determined to maintain their momentum.In the second T20I, India cruised to a seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened match, thwarting Sri Lanka's attempts to recover. Throughout the series, Sri Lanka's struggles have been evident, particularly with their batting collapses in the middle overs. Despite promising starts, the hosts have faltered under pressure and failed to maintain momentum against India's formidable side.Team India has displayed their superiority, with Suryakumar Yadav leading effectively both in strategy and performance. He has made impactful bowling changes and contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 58 and 26 in the previous matches. India's aggressive approach from the start has been fruitful, including a formidable 200-plus score in the opener and a slight tweak in the batting order in the second game, leading to a seven-wicket win and sealing the series.Vice-captain and opener Shubman Gill, who missed the second game due to a stiff neck, remains a key player to watch. Sanju Samson, his replacement, had an unfortunate outing with a golden duck, but India will be seeking improved performances from the experienced batter.Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a standout performer, scoring 70 runs in two matches and posing a significant threat to Sri Lankan bowlers. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka, with 111 runs, and Kusal Perera, with 73, have shown promise at the top, but the middle order's recurrent failures remain a concern.Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi had a crucial impact in the second game with figures of 3/26, highlighting Sri Lanka's difficulties against spin. "They play spin really well but I do not know what has happened, they are collapsing in the middle overs," Bishnoi remarked, suggesting a potential lack of skills and aptitude among Sri Lankan players across formats.Sri Lanka's bowlers, particularly Matheesha Pathirana, who had an expensive return of 4/40 in the first game, need significant improvement to salvage pride in the final match.As India aim for a whitewash, their aggressive gameplay and strategic execution will be closely watched, while Sri Lanka seek to avoid a clean sweep and conclude the series on a positive note.

India's newly appointed T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and a fearless approach following his team's back-to-back triumphs against Sri Lanka. The Indian side secured the T20I series with a 43-run victory on Saturday, followed by a seven-wicket win on Sunday in Pallekele.In his post-match statements, Surya was unequivocal about the team's future strategy in the shortest format. "We spoke about this before the start of the tournament - what brand of cricket we want to play. This is the template we want to go ahead with," said Suryakumar, who has been phenomenal as usual with the willow on both the days.The match was interrupted by a sudden downpour, which resulted in a reduction of overs. As a consequence, the target was adjusted to 78 runs in 8 overs. This occurred after Sri Lanka experienced yet another batting collapse. They had reached a promising position of 130 for 2 in 15 overs, but their innings faltered, and they were eventually restricted to 161 for 9."With the weather around, anything below 160 would have been nice. Rain helped us. The way the boys batted was wonderful," he said.As the team approaches the final game, which holds little significance, a question was posed to Surya regarding the potential inclusion of reserve players in the lineup. "We'll sit and decide (when asked if they'll test their bench strength). Very happy for the boys. Showed a lot of character in tough situations."Ravi Bishnoi, India's resident googly specialist in the shortest format, was pleased that his wrong 'uns have been consistently effective. "The pitch was a little different from yesterday. It was turning a bit. Today, in the first innings it was helping the spinners. I stick to my plans.""I just love bowling the wrong 'uns. It's a good responsibility to have (bowling in the death), as it means the captain and the management trust me."Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka expressed his disappointment with the middle-order's performance during crucial moments of the game. This is not the first time he has voiced his frustration regarding this issue. "I am really disappointed with the way we batted at the death. We must really improve. This pitch, when the ball gets older, it gets tough to bat. As professional cricketers, we have to do better.""We were behind by 15-18 runs. Weather also played its part. It's not easy to bowl eight overs with a wet outfield," Asalanka said.

India Opt to Bowl First in Second T20I Against Sri LankaAfter a 45-minute delay due to intermittent rain, India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The start of the match was pushed back to 7.45pm local time.Yadav explained that the wet weather conditions influenced his decision to chase. India made a forced change, with Sanju Samson replacing vice-captain Shubman Gill, who woke up with a neck spasm.Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka expressed indifference about batting first, despite the match being a must-win for his team after losing the opening T20I. The hosts also made one change, bringing in offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis for left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka.Mendis, who was not initially part of Sri Lanka's squad, was added as a standby due to illness and injury. His recent form has been impressive, including an unbeaten 30 off 11 balls and 2 for 10 in his last T20 game for Kandy Falcons in the LPL.Team Lineups:India:* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Sanju Samson* Suryakumar Yadav (capt)* Rishabh Pant (wk)* Riyan Parag* Hardik Pandya* Rinku Singh* Axar Patel* Arshdeep Singh* Ravi Bishnoi* Mohammed SirajSri Lanka:* Kusal Mendis (wk)* Pathum Nissanka* Kusal Perera* Kamindu Mendis* Charith Asalanka (capt)* Dasun Shanaka* Wanindu Hasaranga* Ramesh Mendis* Maheesh Theekshana* Matheesha Pathirana* Asitha Fernando

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team made history on July 28th by capturing their first-ever Women's T20 Asia Cup title. The triumph was a testament to the team's resilience and determination, as they overcame a formidable Indian side in the final.Chasing a challenging target of 166, Sri Lanka's openers, Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, set the tone with a blistering start. Athapaththu, the team's captain, led from the front with a 43-ball 61, while Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 69 from 51 deliveries. Their partnership of 113 runs laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's victory.India's bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batters, with only Deepti Sharma managing to pick up a wicket. Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming two wickets for 36 runs.Earlier, India had posted a competitive total of 165/6 in their 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored for India with a 47-ball 60, while Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with a rapid 30.Sri Lanka's victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team had shown glimpses of their potential in recent years, but they had never managed to reach the pinnacle of Asian cricket. This triumph is a testament to the team's growth and development, and it will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Sri Lankan cricketers.