Cricket

Sri Lanka's young pace sensation, Mathisha Pathirana, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming T20I and ODI series against India, scheduled to commence later this month. The 22-year-old believes that a strong performance in this series could provide a much-needed boost to the island nation's cricket."I think it will be a good challenge. India is coming with a new coach and some new players. Their combination will be slightly different. But it will be a good challenge for us because they are world champions," Pathirana told The Hindu.Pathirana, who has quickly risen through the ranks in the last two years, is confident in his team's abilities. "We have a very good side and a lot of talent. Unfortunately, we didn't do well in the T20 World Cup. But if we can win this series, it will be a confidence-booster for the next three years," he added.The right-arm pacer has made a name for himself with his impressive performances for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2022. Pathirana expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, which has accelerated his career."After my under-19s, I was not in any squad in Sri Lanka. But since my debut for CSK, I got those chances and got selected for Sri Lanka's main team. Playing for CSK is a gift from god for me. Until I played for CSK, not many knew me. Sharing the dressing room with Mahi bhai (M.S. Dhoni) is very special for youngsters like me, especially coming from Sri Lanka," he said.In a short span, Pathirana has become one of the most reliable bowlers in the death overs. However, he is not content with that tag alone. "A lot of people say I am good at the death. But that is not enough for me. I want to be good with the new ball and in the middle overs too. If I can get swing and accuracy with the new ball, it will be good for me and the teams I play for," Pathirana stated.The upcoming series against India will be a crucial test for Pathirana and his Sri Lankan teammates. A strong showing could not only boost their confidence but also provide a much-needed shot in the arm for Sri Lankan cricket.

India Women Dominate Asia Cup, Aim for Group Topper Spot Against NepalIndia's women's cricket team has showcased their prowess in both batting and bowling at the ongoing Women's Asia Cup. As they prepare to face Nepal in their final Group A match, the defending champions are poised to secure the top spot in the group.In their opening match against Pakistan, India's swashbuckling openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone with a blistering start. The bowlers then stepped up, restricting Pakistan to a manageable total. In the subsequent match against the UAE, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh took center stage, guiding India to a massive 200-plus total in T20Is. Ghosh's destructive 64 off just 29 balls was a highlight of the innings.While Kaur played the anchor's role, Ghosh's blazing knock propelled India to their first-ever 200-plus total in T20Is. This dominant performance has put India in a strong position to enter the semifinals.Meanwhile, Pakistan has improved their net run rate with a comfortable win over Nepal, lifting them to second place in Group A. However, India remains unfazed and will focus on maintaining their momentum heading into the knockout stages.Nepal, on the other hand, faces a daunting task after their heavy defeat to Pakistan. The minnows will have little time to recover before taking on the tournament favorites.India will be aiming to extend their winning streak and seal the top berth in Group A when they face Nepal. A victory would not only secure their place in the semifinals but also give them a psychological advantage heading into the knockout rounds.

Indian Batters Rise in ICC T20I Rankings After Asia Cup PerformancesIndian batters Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma have made significant strides in the latest ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings, thanks to their impressive performances in the ongoing Women's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.Harmanpreet, the Indian captain, and opener Shafali are now jointly ranked 11th in the T20I batting rankings. Harmanpreet's unbeaten 5 against Pakistan and 66 against the United Arab Emirates have helped her gain one spot, while Shafali's scores of 40 and 37 have lifted her four positions.Sri Lanka's off-spinner Inoshi Priyadharshani has also made a notable jump, advancing three places to a career-best fourth position after taking two wickets against Bangladesh and one against Malaysia.Other notable movers in the batting rankings include India's wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh (up four places to 24th), Bangladesh's Murshida Khatun (up six places to 47th), Sri Lanka's Vishmi Gunaratne (up seven places to 51st), and Thailand's Nattaya Boochatham (up 10 places to 76th).Among the bowlers, Bangladesh's Nahida Akter has risen nine places to 21st, while Marufa Akter is up one place to 26th. Sri Lanka's Udeshika Prabodhani has progressed four places to 30th, and India's Shreyanka Patil has surged 19 places to 41st.England captain Heather Knight has re-entered the top 20 in the batting rankings, gaining two spots after scoring a match-winning 46 not out off 31 balls in the final match of their home series against New Zealand. Her teammate, new-ball bowler Lauren Bell, has moved into the top 10 following a three-wicket haul.New Zealand's Amelia Kerr has advanced two places to 13th in the batting rankings, while her sister Jess Kerr has moved up five places to joint-42nd in the bowling rankings.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied rumors of proposing an offshore T20I series against India, emphasizing its current focus on the successful hosting of the Champions Trophy. Despite speculations of discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI officials, a reliable source within the PCB has clarified that no such proposal is being considered.The PCB's primary objectives at the ICC meetings in Colombo are to secure budget approval for the Champions Trophy and to obtain assurances from the ICC and BCCI regarding India's participation in the tournament in Pakistan. The source stressed that these are the board's top priorities, and any bilateral ventures with India are not currently under consideration.India has suspended bilateral cricket series with Pakistan since 2012, and the two nations have not played a Test series since 2007. The participation of India in the Champions Trophy remains uncertain, with rumors suggesting that the Men in Blue may prefer to play their matches outside Pakistan.The PCB's focus on the Champions Trophy is understandable, given the tournament's significance and the challenges involved in hosting such a major event. The board is determined to ensure a smooth and successful tournament, which will be a major boost for Pakistan's cricket infrastructure and reputation.While the possibility of an offshore T20I series between Pakistan and India remains a topic of speculation, it is clear that the PCB's current priorities lie elsewhere. The board is committed to delivering a memorable Champions Trophy and securing India's participation in the tournament, which would be a significant step towards the resumption of bilateral cricket between the two nations.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, will make his debut as India's head coach with a limited overs series in Sri Lanka. The tour will commence with three T20I matches scheduled for July 27, 28, and 30 in Pallekele. The three-match T20I series will be followed by three ODI matches on August 2, 4, and 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.Gambhir, who was appointed as India's head coach in June 2023, will be tasked with guiding the team to success in the upcoming series. India will be looking to build on their recent success in white-ball cricket, having won the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the knockout stages. The hosts will be led by Dasun Shanaka, who will be looking to make a statement against a strong Indian team.The series is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting a number of talented players. India will be relying on the experience of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, while Sri Lanka will be looking to their young stars, such as Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, to make an impact.The series will also be an opportunity for Gambhir to assess his team's strengths and weaknesses ahead of the 2023 T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia later this year. India will be hoping to perform well in the series and build momentum ahead of the global tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering inviting India to a bilateral T20I series at a neutral venue in 2025. This proposal will be discussed during the ICC annual conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah.The PCB remains firm in its stance that the Champions Trophy matches will not be moved outside Pakistan. However, the board is willing to accommodate India's concerns by offering a neutral venue for the T20I series. The matches could potentially be scheduled during the free days of both teams after the Champions Trophy.Pakistan has emphasized that it will provide full security to the Indian team if they travel to Lahore for the Champions Trophy. The PCB has also acquired land adjacent to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium to construct a 5-star hotel, which will eliminate the need for teams to stay in distant hotels and reduce security concerns.Naqvi is expected to persuade Shah to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. However, the final decision rests with the Indian government, which has previously expressed security concerns about traveling to Pakistan.India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012, with the Indian government restricting cricket encounters to ICC or ACC events. The PCB's invitation for a T20I series in 2025 could be a step towards resuming bilateral cricket between the two nations.

Sanjay Bangar, former India cricketer and batting coach, has expressed his disappointment over the decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, instead of Hardik Pandya. Bangar believes that Pandya, who played a crucial role in India's recent T20 successes, has been unfairly overlooked.Bangar expressed surprise that Pandya was not given the captaincy, considering his strong leadership record. Pandya has led the Indian team to 10 victories in 16 T20Is, while Yadav has captained Team India in seven T20Is, winning five of them."I am a bit surprised as far as Hardik not being the captain of the T20 team is concerned because even before the previous T20 World Cup it seemed like if Rohit hadn't become the captain and Hardik hadn't gotten injured at that time, Hardik only would have become the captain," Bangar said on Star Sports.Bangar acknowledged that Yadav has a lot of experience and has led Mumbai in domestic cricket, but he still feels that Pandya has been treated unfairly. "I fully believe that he [Yadav] will do a good job, but I still feel a little injustice has been meted out to Hardik," Bangar said.While acknowledging that selectors and coach Gautam Gambhir might have explained their reasons to Pandya, Bangar opined that the all-rounder would still feel hurt by the decision. "As a player, you are always understanding what the selectors are trying to do, what the new coach is trying to do but deep within himself, I am pretty sure that Hardik will be deeply hurt that he is not being considered for T20 captaincy," Bangar stated.

Arshdeep Singh Hails Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Legacy in T20I CricketIndia's young pacer Arshdeep Singh has paid glowing tribute to the legacy left behind by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following their retirements from T20I cricket. The duo ended their illustrious careers in the shortest format with a T20 World Cup triumph against South Africa in Barbados last month.Arshdeep, who was part of the victorious World Cup squad, hailed the immense contributions of Sharma and Kohli in the batting department, which have inspired cricketers worldwide. He highlighted Sharma's explosive batting at the top and sharp captaincy, while praising Kohli's consistent performances and relentless pursuit of excellence."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have left an indelible mark on T20I cricket. Their contributions have been immense, and their legacy will be remembered for generations," Arshdeep told IANS. "Their passion, dedication, and ability to perform under pressure have inspired many young cricketers, including myself."Arshdeep, who made his white-ball debut under Sharma's captaincy, lauded the opener's tactical prowess and described him as a "bowler's captain." He praised Sharma for giving bowlers the freedom to express themselves on the field and for maintaining a positive atmosphere in the dressing room."Playing under Rohit Sharma's captaincy has been an incredible experience. He allows every bowler full freedom of executing what they want to do on the field. He has a unique way of keeping the dressing room atmosphere light and positive, which really helps in high-pressure situations," Arshdeep said.The 25-year-old also highlighted Sharma's strategic thinking and ability to read the game, which he believes has been a valuable learning experience for him.After being rested for the Zimbabwe T20Is, Arshdeep will travel to Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I and ODI series, starting on July 27.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to officially unveil Gautam Gambhir as India's new head coach at a press conference scheduled before the team's departure for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. This tour marks Gambhir's first assignment since succeeding Rahul Dravid as head coach.Dravid's tenure concluded in June following the T20 World Cup, where India emerged victorious after defeating South Africa in a gripping final. Subsequently, the BCCI appointed Gambhir as his successor. The team is expected to depart for Sri Lanka on July 22 from Mumbai, with the pre-departure press conference likely to be held on the same day.India's Sri Lanka tour commences with a three-match T20I series on July 27, followed by a three-match ODI series to conclude the tour. The selection committee announced the white-ball squads earlier this week, naming Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain and Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain.Rohit and Virat Kohli, who both retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup, were initially reported to be unavailable for the ODIs. However, the legendary duo was eventually included in the squad for the 50-over leg of the tour.Prior to the squad announcement, there was speculation regarding the T20I captaincy, given Rohit's unavailability. Reports suggested that Gambhir favored Suryakumar Yadav, while BCCI secretary Jay Shah backed Hardik Pandya. Ultimately, Suryakumar Yadav was named as the skipper for the shortest format, but he was not included in the ODI squad.Rohit and Virat were reportedly persuaded by the cricket board to make themselves available for the ODIs, considering the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March next year and the limited number of ODIs scheduled for India before that.