Cricket

Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies has undergone significant changes, with the return of Bhanuka Rajapaksa and the omission of former captain Dasun Shanaka.Rajapaksa, a middle-order batter, last played for Sri Lanka in January 2023. Despite his recent lack of form, he has been recalled based on his past performances and the team's need for hitters who can finish innings.Shanaka's absence is a notable one, as he has been a key figure in Sri Lanka's T20I setup. However, 22-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who made his debut against India, has retained his spot.Another notable omission is left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka, who has been deemed too expensive in this format. His economy rate of 9.75 after 15 matches is a concern for the team.Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is also missing from the squad due to an injury that has kept him out of competitive cricket since July.The rest of the squad is largely predictable, with legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay making it into the squad after impressing as Wanindu Hasaranga's replacement during the ODI series against India. Hasaranga himself is also back in the fold.Dinesh Chandimal, who was named in the squad against India but has not played a match in this format since 2022, retains his place. His good performances in the Test format may have contributed to his selection.On the pace-bowling front, Sri Lanka have a variety of options, including slingers Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, left-armer Binura Fernando, and right-arm seamer Asitha Fernando.For spin bowling, the team has Hasaranga, Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage to choose from, with overs potentially coming from Kamindu Mendis as well.The T20Is against West Indies will begin on Sunday, with all three matches to be played in Dambulla.

Indian batter Rinku Singh has credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for empowering the team to play aggressively and express themselves on the field. Singh's blistering 53-run knock off 29 balls played a pivotal role in India's 86-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I on Wednesday."The coach and captain have asked us to play our game and whatever the situation (is), the message from them is maarte jao ball ko (just keep hitting the ball)," Singh said at the post-match press conference.Singh, who has often batted in the latter stages of innings, was called into action early on Wednesday after India lost three wickets inside the powerplay. He explained his approach, saying, "At the position I play, I get batting at different junctures of the game. Whenever I get batting earlier, my aim is to take singles and doubles and attack the bad balls.""When I come to bat with 2-3 overs left, my aim is to hit more fours and sixes. My main aim is to collect more and more runs for the team."Singh revealed that the wicket was initially challenging, but he adjusted his batting accordingly. "When the match started, the ball was not coming properly on to the bat. When Sanju (Samson) and Surya bhai got out then Reddy told me that ball phass rahi hai (the ball is sticking on the wicket).""I batted accordingly and then the wicket got a little better. We were discussing that we should get a (good) partnership first and get the momentum. We started with singles and then Reddy hit sixes and the momentum changed."Singh, who will next feature in the Ranji Trophy, expressed his desire to play in all three formats of the game. "I do see myself as an all format player, wherever I get the opportunity I will play," he said.The third and final T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Hardik Pandya's All-Round Brilliance Powers India to Victory in Second T20I Against BangladeshNew Delhi: Hardik Pandya showcased his exceptional all-round abilities in India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.Pandya's batting prowess was on full display as he smashed 32 runs off just 19 deliveries, providing a much-needed boost to India's total of 221/9. His innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay and intelligent shot selection.However, it was Pandya's fielding brilliance that truly stole the show. In the 16th over of Bangladesh's chase, Rishad attempted to clear the boundary off Varun Chakravarty's bowling. Pandya, stationed at long-on, displayed remarkable athleticism and anticipation to cover the distance and take a stunning running catch.Rishad's dismissal proved to be a crucial moment in the match, as it halted Bangladesh's momentum and put India firmly in control. Chakravarty, who finished with figures of 2/19 in his four overs, played a pivotal role in restricting Bangladesh's scoring.Earlier, India's batters had set a challenging target for Bangladesh. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh led the charge with half-centuries, while Pandya's late cameo provided the finishing touches.Despite a shaky start, with India losing three wickets for just 41 runs, Reddy and Singh forged a crucial 108-run partnership to revive the innings. Reddy scored 52 off 36 balls, while Singh contributed 50 off 34 deliveries.Bangladesh's bowlers struggled to contain India's aggressive batting, with Mustafizur Rahman being the only exception. The left-arm pacer claimed three wickets for 33 runs in his four overs.In the end, India's all-round dominance proved too much for Bangladesh, who were restricted to 153/6 in their 20 overs. The victory gives India a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final match scheduled to be played in Kolkata on Saturday.

Riyan Parag's Bizarre No-Ball: A Rare Occurrence in T20I CricketIn the second T20I between India and Bangladesh, a peculiar incident occurred when Riyan Parag's delivery was called a no-ball for an unusual reason. During the 11th over of Bangladesh's innings, Parag attempted to surprise the batters with a bizarre sling action, reminiscent of former India batter Kedar Jadhav's wide action. However, the tactic backfired as Parag's back foot stepped outside the pitch tramlines, resulting in a no-ball.According to Law 21.5 of the cricket rules set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the bowler's back foot must land within the return crease and not touch the tramlines. Parag's foot not only landed outside the tramline but also outside the pitch altogether, prompting the umpire to signal a no-ball.Despite the setback, Parag quickly recovered and returned to his normal action on the free hit, preventing Mahmudullah from scoring any additional runs. Two balls later, he dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a catch in the deep.Parag also made a valuable contribution to India's batting innings, scoring 15 runs off just six balls, including two sixes. His cameo helped India reach a formidable total of 221 in 20 overs, putting pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers.

Indian Batters Blaze to 221/9 in Second T20I Against BangladeshThe Indian cricket team's batters unleashed a fiery assault on Bangladesh in the second T20I in Delhi on Wednesday, posting an imposing total of 221/9. Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh led the charge with blistering half-centuries, while Hardik Pandya provided a late surge.After a sluggish start that saw three wickets fall in the Powerplay, Reddy and Rinku rescued India with a magnificent 100-plus partnership. Reddy, playing only his second T20I, showcased his immense talent with a scintillating 74 off 34 balls, including seven maximums and four boundaries. Rinku, known for his explosive hitting, contributed 53 off 29 balls, smashing five boundaries and three sixes.Reddy's innings was particularly impressive, as he played with a maturity beyond his years. He reached his maiden T20I fifty in just 27 balls and continued to punish the Bangladesh bowlers with his powerful strokeplay. Rinku, too, displayed his big-hitting prowess, smashing the first six of the match off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.Hardik Pandya, who came to the crease after Reddy's departure, maintained the momentum with a quickfire 32 off 19 balls. He hit two sixes and two fours, including a boundary that surpassed MS Dhoni's tally of 116 fours in T20Is.Despite the impressive batting display, India's top-order struggled against the pace trio of Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rehman, and Taskin Ahmed. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were dismissed cheaply, while Suryakumar Yadav fell to a slower delivery from Mustafizur.Bangladesh's bowlers fought back in the latter stages, with Mustafizur and Taskin claiming three wickets each. However, the Indian batters had already done enough damage to set up a challenging target for the visitors.

Sanju Samson's inconsistent performances have sparked a debate about his treatment in the Indian national team. Despite his undeniable talent, Samson has struggled to cement his place in the side, leading to questions about whether he has been unfairly overlooked.In the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, Samson's struggles continued. He managed just 29 runs in the first match and failed to make an impact in the second. This lack of form has frustrated fans, who have taken to social media to express their disappointment.Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has emphasized the need for consistency from Samson. He warned that the Kerala batter could be dropped if he does not improve his performances. "He is good. He scored 29 runs. My only thing was that since he had reached here, he should go slightly further ahead. He should score a few more runs because, otherwise, they would drop him," Chopra said.Despite his recent struggles, Samson has shown glimpses of his brilliance. Chopra praised his elegant shot-making during the match in Gwalior. "You need to talk about Sanju Samson. Abhishek Sharma was playing amazingly well until he got run out, but how well did Sanju play? Gautam Gambhir said long back that if Sanju Samson doesn't play for India, it's India's loss. He was made to open. The silken touch was seen. He wasn't hitting the ball hard; it seemed like he didn't want to hurt the ball, and he was hitting one four after another."Samson made his international debut in 2015, but has yet to become a regular in the Indian team. He will need to step up his performance in the upcoming matches to prove that he deserves a permanent place in the side.

India and Bangladesh will face off in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with India looking to seal the series after a dominant victory in the opener. The hosts are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI, as they seek to continue their impressive form.Debutant Mayank Yadav impressed with his pace, while Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased his all-round abilities. Arshdeep Singh led the pace attack, and Varun Chakaravarthy made a strong comeback as a mystery spinner. Washington Sundar and Chakaravarthy will compete for the spin all-rounder spot vacated by Ravindra Jadeja.With first-choice openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill rested, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will aim to prove their worth. Samson, in particular, is eager to solidify his position as wicketkeeper in Pant's absence. A consistent performance could make him a strong contender for future selections.Samson made a strong statement in the first game, showcasing his ability to play freely in the powerplay. However, he failed to convert his start, as did Sharma.Bangladesh have struggled to match India's intensity, but the hosts have displayed their dominance on home turf. Despite resting key players like Pant, Patel, and Bumrah, India's depth in white-ball cricket was evident in their comfortable victory.India's young mavericks have proven to be a handful for Bangladesh, and the script is unlikely to change in the second T20I. The home team will look to seal the series and continue their impressive run.

Indian Trio Soars in ICC Rankings After Bangladesh VictoryIn the wake of India's dominant 49-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of their T20I series, three Indian players have made significant strides in the latest ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings.Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder, played a pivotal role with the bat, scoring a rapid 39* off just 16 deliveries. His innings, which included five fours and two sixes, propelled him seven spots up to 60th in the T20I batting rankings. Pandya also made an impact with the ball, taking a wicket, which helped him climb four places to third overall in the T20I All-Rounder Rankings.Arshdeep Singh, the young pacer, emerged as a standout performer, taking three wickets to climb eight places to eighth in the T20I bowling rankings. This marks a career-high rating for Singh, who is on the verge of surpassing the records set by Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner, also impressed with his bowling, taking three wickets. His performance helped him maintain his position in the top 10 of the T20I bowling rankings.In the ODI Player Rankings, there were minor adjustments following South Africa's 2-1 series victory over Ireland in Abu Dhabi. Curtis Campher, Craig Young, and Graham Hume all made notable gains in the ODI rankings after their impressive performances in the final match.

Sanju Samson, a fan favorite in Indian cricket, was given a rare opportunity to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I against Bangladesh. While Samson's 29 runs off 19 balls contributed to India's victory, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra believes the wicket-keeper batter needs to step up his game.Chopra recalled a statement by Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has consistently praised Samson's abilities. However, Chopra emphasized that Samson must deliver on the field or risk being dropped from the team."Sanju Samson needs to do more," Chopra said. "He's a talented player, but he needs to convert his starts into big scores. Otherwise, he'll keep moving in and out of the side."Samson has played at various positions for India in T20Is, but top order remains his most effective position. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is, Samson has an opportunity to establish himself as a key player.Chopra believes that Samson has the potential to be a match-winner for India. "He's a very good player," Chopra said. "He has all the shots and he can play in any situation. But he needs to be more consistent."Samson's performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh was a step in the right direction, but he needs to continue to improve if he wants to cement his place in the Indian team.