Cricket

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach commenced with a resounding 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The Men in Blue, led by newly appointed skipper Suryakumar Yadav, displayed resilience and determination throughout the series, culminating in a thrilling Super Over win in the third and final T20I.Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid as head coach, has been entrusted with a long-term contract that extends until the end of 2027. His appointment was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his suitability for the role. However, Gambhir has quickly silenced his critics with a series win in his first assignment.In the post-match dressing room chat, Gambhir lauded Suryakumar's leadership and the team's fighting spirit. He emphasized the importance of consistency and improvement, particularly on pitches that favor spin bowling."Congratulations on a great series win. Congratulations to Surya as well, outstanding captaincy and performance with the bat. I asked for something before the start of the game, and you absolutely delivered it. This is what happens when you keep fighting and don't give up," Gambhir said."These kinds of games happen, and the only way these key games can go in our favor is when we keep fighting for every delivery and every run, and this was a prime example," he added.Gambhir's appointment has sparked a renewed sense of optimism within the Indian cricket fraternity. His experience as a player and his reputation as a tough taskmaster are expected to benefit the team in the long run.However, former India cricketer Joginder Sharma has expressed concerns about Gambhir's longevity as head coach. Sharma believes that Gambhir's uncompromising nature and tendency to make bold decisions may lead to conflicts within the team."Gautam Gambhir is the one to manage the team, but I believe that Gautam Gambhir will not be able to stay for a long time," Sharma said. "This is because Gautam Gambhir has his own decisions. It might happen that he has a disagreement with a player. I am not talking about Virat Kohli. Many times, Gautam Gambhir's decisions are such that others do not like them."Despite these concerns, Gambhir has made a positive start to his tenure as head coach. The team's performance in the Sri Lanka series suggests that they are responding well to his leadership. Only time will tell whether Gambhir can sustain this momentum and guide India to success in major tournaments.

Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's interim coach, is urging his team to harness the criticism they have faced after their T20I series loss to India and turn things around in the upcoming 50-over leg of the tour."I remind them that I have been in their shoes during my 20-year playing career," Jayasuriya said ahead of the first ODI in Colombo. "Many of you are just starting out. You must embrace this criticism and respond with strong performances. If you play well, the fans will adore you. Their words stem from the pain they feel, which is temporary."Jayasuriya emphasized that the Sri Lankan team is putting in "tremendous effort" in training, and the batting collapses they experienced in all three T20Is were simply due to a lack of execution. In the third T20I, they lost 7 for 27, allowing India to force a Super Over despite the hosts being well on their way to chasing down 138. In the first T20I, they lost 9 for 30 after setting themselves up for victory at 140 for 1 in 14 overs while chasing 214.Jayasuriya believes that the meltdowns were not caused by a lack of skill or commitment but rather by a need to improve their "cricket awareness." He explained that they have implemented a system where top-order batters can bat for extended periods during training."We have created a system where top-order batters could bat for two or three hours during training," he said. "Kamindu Mendis batted for more than 600 balls during our training. Kusal Perera batted for over 700 balls, which is a significant number of overs.""I don't see a lack of commitment, but they have got to tackle pressure better. Their cricket awareness also needs sharpening. We are taking the responsibility; you can't go away from that. As long as they realize that, and make sure that, we'll have to keep giving them the confidence and support."Jayasuriya elaborated on the "cricket awareness" aspect by citing how it was acceptable to not be a six-hitting team."When you talk about power hitting, I don't think you need that much," Jayasuriya said. "If you hit enough fours and enough twos, you get the total that you need. The [Sri Lankan] grounds are a little bigger. There's no reason why you can't hit boundaries, or twos, or threes. If you can do that, you can get by without hitting so many sixes."Jayasuriya also backed new captain Charith Asalanka to come good, while underlining the importance of giving him time to settle into the new role before being judged. Since his debut in 2021, Asalanka has risen to become one of Sri Lanka's more consistent ODI batters, averaging 43.59 with a strike rate of almost 90 across 52 innings."Charith Asalanka is one of our best players in this format, and we need to remember that," Jayasuriya said. "But when you get the captaincy, there is some pressure. I've been there too. You have got to give them a little time in that position.""There are ten more players in the side, and 16 in the squad. We all have to get together and give him the confidence too. At any moment, the captain could click. Charith Asalanka is someone who works really hard. He's very professional and communicates well."The Sri Lanka players have been hit by injuries and illnesses in the lead-up to the ODI series. The list is rather long - Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara are all unavailable."We have brought Pramod Madushan into our squad," Jayasuriya said. "There's also a viral flu in the team and we need to account for that. Maheesh Theekshana was sick and he recovered enough to play. Wanindu Hasaranga also had it. There were several who caught it and in the end, we even had to admit Binura Fernando to the hospital."The absence of key players, though, is not something Jayasuriya wants to use as an excuse. He insists there's plenty to play for and has spoken to players individually about placing an emphasis on being "mentally in the right place.""I'm interim coach and I've only got these two series, but that's not how I think," he said. "When I was playing, and even now, I hate to lose. The players who are around now know that too. When I talk to them, I tell them that fans in this country love the game, and a lot of us, including me, have brought cricket into this country to a certain place.""I've spoken about that a lot individually with players and as a team. In terms of facilities and practice, I've tried to do as much as I can. What I want is to create a good environment so they can be mentally in the right place and can play with confidence."

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav's costly blunder almost handed Sri Lanka a victory in the third and final T20I of the series in Pallekele on Tuesday. Chasing 138 runs, Sri Lanka's poor batting performance towards the end saw India stage a remarkable comeback.With Sri Lanka needing 5 runs off the final two balls, Chamindu Wickramasinghe slammed Suryakumar's fuller delivery to long-off and attempted to steal a couple. The throw from long-off came at the non-striker's end, where Asitha Fernando could have been caught well short of his crease. However, Suryakumar's mistake allowed the Sri Lanka batters to save their wickets and complete the double.The missed run-out proved pivotal, as Sri Lanka took the game into Super Over. However, India's dominating performance in the Super Over secured them the victory.Reflecting on the match, Suryakumar acknowledged the team's character in overcoming the early setbacks. "When we were around 30/4 and 48/5, how the boys showed character in the middle and took the game away from them ... I felt 140 was a par score on that track," he said.Suryakumar emphasized the importance of embracing both victories and setbacks. "If you are enjoying hitting 200-220s and winning games, you should enjoy 30/4 and 70/5 as well because that creates balance in your life and that's how you move on and just be humble," he added.

India's T20I dominance over Sri Lanka continued as they completed a resounding 3-0 clean-sweep with a thrilling super over victory in the final match. The hosts' chase of 138 seemed comfortable until Suryakumar Yadav's inspired bowling changes turned the tide.With Sri Lanka needing nine runs off 12 balls, Yadav summoned part-time off-spinner Rinku Singh. Singh, making his T20I bowling debut, conceded only three runs and claimed two wickets in a remarkable 19th over.Yadav's audacity continued as he brought himself on to bowl the final over. Despite conceding five runs, he picked up two more wickets, forcing the game into a super over. India's dominance extended into the super over, where they restricted Sri Lanka to just two runs and secured a comprehensive victory.Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded Yadav's captaincy, particularly his unconventional bowling choices. "Suryakumar is a true disciple of Rohit Sharma," Kaif tweeted. "Using Rinku in the 19th over and himself in the 20th over shows what it takes to be a great leader."Rinku, who had never bowled in T20Is before, expressed his surprise at being asked to bowl. "I was informed by Surya to be ready for bowling in the series," he said. "When he asked me to bowl, it was God's plan."Off-spinner Washington Sundar, who starred with an all-round performance, praised Yadav's inventiveness. "It was a great decision to bring in Rinku," Sundar said. "For Surya to bring himself into such a crunch situation was amazing."Yadav's bold captaincy and the unexpected contributions of Rinku and Sundar proved decisive in India's clean-sweep. The victory further cements India's status as a formidable force in T20I cricket.

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, 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.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize fitness and play as much cricket as possible to regain his peak performance. Shastri's comments come after Pandya was overlooked for the T20I captaincy in favor of Suryakumar Yadav.Pandya's fitness issues have been a recurring concern, dating back to a stress fracture in 2018. Despite recovering from surgery, his back problems resurfaced, necessitating another surgery. More recently, he sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances in the T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's victory, should inspire him to regain his fitness. He emphasized the importance of match fitness, especially for all-rounders who need to bowl consistently."If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," Shastri said.Shastri also acknowledged Pandya's understanding of his body and expressed confidence that he would be motivated to get back to full fitness. He urged Pandya to play as much T20I cricket as possible to maintain his match sharpness."I think it is up to him really, more than anything else," Shastri added. "He understands his body better than anyone. And I am sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going."Pandya's fitness will be crucial for India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and the World Cup later this year. If he can overcome his injury concerns and regain his peak form, he will be a valuable asset to the team.