Cricket

Ireland's Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast starred in a thrilling seven-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Dublin, leveling the two-match series 1-1.Lewis, who had scored a century in the first T20I, continued her impressive form with a smashing 119 off 75 balls. She found an able ally in Prendergast, who contributed 38 off 31 balls. The duo shared a 119-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for Ireland's competitive total of 173 for 3.Lewis reached her fifty off 40 balls and accelerated her scoring rate thereafter. She struck 17 fours and two sixes in her innings, including three fours in the final over. Prendergast provided valuable support, hitting back-to-back fours in the 12th over and keeping the scoreboard ticking.Sri Lanka's chase got off to a shaky start with the early loss of Vishmi Gunaratne. However, Harshitha Samarawickrama threatened to repeat her heroics from the first T20I, striking two fours in the first over and a six off Jane Maguire.Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari put on a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. But Maguire's dismissal of Samarawickrama for 65 off 44 balls proved to be a turning point.Dilhari continued to find the boundaries, but Sri Lanka lost wickets at the other end. They needed 22 off the last two overs and 16 off six. Dilhari struck a six in the final over to reach her fifty, but with eight needed off two, she failed to connect cleanly, allowing Ireland to level the series.

India's dominance over Sri Lanka in the ongoing T20I series has been undeniable, with the visitors showcasing their superiority in every aspect of the game. Sri Lanka's batting has been their Achilles' heel, collapsing embarrassingly in the middle overs, while India have executed their plans with precision and confidence.The series was effectively decided after India's comprehensive victories in the first two matches, leaving Sri Lanka facing the prospect of a humiliating whitewash. In the second T20I, despite a promising start, Sri Lanka's batting once again faltered, allowing India to secure a comfortable seven-wicket win.India's dominance extends beyond the scoreboard. They have displayed greater composure under pressure, adapting to different situations with ease. Their bowling attack has been relentless, restricting Sri Lanka's batsmen and creating opportunities for wickets.In contrast, Sri Lanka's batting has been plagued by inconsistency and poor decision-making. Their middle order has failed to provide the necessary support, leading to frequent collapses. The team's fielding has also been below par, allowing India to capitalize on their mistakes.As the series concludes with the third and final T20I, India will be aiming to complete a clean sweep. Under the guidance of new coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, they will be relentless in their pursuit of victory. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be desperate to salvage some pride and avoid a humiliating whitewash.

Sanju Samson's return to the Indian T20I team after being benched in the first match against Sri Lanka was short-lived, as he was dismissed for a golden duck while opening the innings. This move raised questions about Samson's role in the team, especially considering the prominence given to Riyan Parag.Parag has emerged as a key figure in the Indian team under new head coach Gambhir, occupying the middle-order batting spot that many expected Samson to fill. Parag's ability to bowl a few overs gives him an advantage over Samson, who is primarily a wicket-keeper batter.Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that Parag's bowling ability will give him a long rope in the middle-order, especially in T20I cricket. "You will see Riyan Parag getting many chances due to his bowling ability. As a top-order batsman, not many in the country have the ability to roll their arm over. This is where Riyan Parag will get an extra advantage, and rightly so," Pathan said.Samson's situation in the Indian team has been puzzling, with the talented wicket-keeper batter being shuffled across different roles and positions since his debut. Despite his undeniable talent, Samson has struggled to cement his spot in the team, as he continues to be tried and tested in various roles.The first two matches under Gambhir's leadership have made it clear that Parag is part of his long-term plans. This raises questions about Samson's future in the team, as he may have to adapt to a different role or face the prospect of being overlooked for selection.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, commenced his tenure with the team's first practice session in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, ahead of the upcoming T20I series against the hosts. The Indian contingent arrived in Colombo on Monday and subsequently traveled to Pallekele for the three-match T20I series, which will be followed by as many ODIs in Colombo.Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20I format, Suryakumar Yadav has been entrusted with the captaincy for the series. Rohit will rejoin the team for the ODIs, along with Virat Kohli, who also announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game.During the practice session, Gambhir was observed closely monitoring the players and providing valuable batting advice to wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. The BCCI shared a video of the session on their official Twitter account, highlighting Gambhir's active involvement in the team's preparations.Prior to the team's departure for Sri Lanka, Gambhir addressed his first press conference alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar explained the rationale behind appointing Suryakumar as the T20I captain over all-rounder Hardik Pandya."Suryakumar is one of the deserving candidates. He is one of the best T20 batters in the world. We wanted a captain who was likely to play all the games. We will see how he will do," Agarkar stated.Regarding Hardik Pandya, Agarkar emphasized his continued importance to the team. "As far as Hardik is concerned, he is still a very important player. And that's what we want him to be. Fitness has been a challenge for him over the last few years...Then it becomes difficult for the coach or selectors. I think Surya has the necessary qualities to succeed as a captain," he added.The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Pallekele on Saturday.

England's women's cricket team capped off an undefeated home summer with a 20-run victory over New Zealand in the final T20I at Lord's. Captain Heather Knight led the charge with an unbeaten 46 off 31 balls, guiding England to a competitive total of 155 for 7.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Fran Jonas' career-best figures of 4 for 22, had initially put England in a precarious position at 87 for 6. However, Knight's timely knock, supported by Charlie Dean's 24 off 19 balls, steadied the hosts.In response, New Zealand's batting woes continued as England's bowlers made regular breakthroughs. Lauren Bell claimed three wickets, while Freya Kemp and Dean took two each. Amelia Kerr's 43 off 36 balls proved insufficient as the White Ferns fell short of the target.England's 5-0 sweep of the T20I series extended their unbeaten streak against New Zealand and Pakistan to 13 completed matches. The victory marked a fitting end to a successful summer for the hosts, who had also won the ODI series against Pakistan.

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has hailed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as "irreplaceable" in the Indian team across all formats, comparing them to legendary players Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.Kohli and Sharma recently announced their retirements from Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket. Kohli, who made his T20I debut in 2010, has been a prolific run-scorer in the format, amassing 4188 runs in 125 matches. Sharma, who made his T20I debut in 2007, has been even more successful, becoming the format's highest scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches.Dev, who led India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, believes that Kohli and Sharma have made an immense contribution to Indian cricket. "No one can take Virat and Rohit's place in the Indian team in any format," he said. "They have been a huge servant of Indian cricket and it was a happy farewell for them."Dev praised Kohli's relentless dedication and passion for the game, which has made him one of the most successful batsmen in the world. He also acknowledged Sharma's leadership qualities, which have helped India win several major tournaments, including the 2022 T20 World Cup."The stature that Virat has made of himself in all formats, he will surely be missed in T20Is," Dev said. "Both are as same as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. They are irreplaceable."Kohli and Sharma's retirements from T20I cricket will leave a void in the Indian team, but Dev is confident that the team will continue to be successful in the future. "We have a lot of young talent coming through," he said. "I am sure that they will step up and fill the void left by Virat and Rohit."

As Gautam Gambhir takes the reins as India's new head coach, the future of veteran players in the team's T20 setup is under scrutiny. Among those facing uncertainty is Mohammed Shami, who has been a mainstay in all three formats but has seen his T20I appearances dwindle.India's outgoing bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, has urged Gambhir and his yet-to-be-finalized coaching staff to address Shami's future promptly. "The staff should talk to Shami and find out what he wants to do," Mhambrey said. "He's no longer young, so where does he fit in and how many more years does he look to play? How do we use him smartly?"Shami's recent injury struggles have raised concerns about his longevity. Despite being India's top bowler in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he has not played for the team since the final against Australia. Mhambrey believes that Shami's fitness and aspirations should be prioritized."If Tests are the focus now, then make sure he is in the best shape for the series in Australia," Mhambrey said. "However, what Shami wants and what his body says is paramount."Mhambrey emphasized the need for individualized fitness plans for players of different ages and abilities. "You can't compare a Shami with some youngster who has just come in," he said. "You have to understand what the value of Shami is. Do you need Shami to do the Yo-Yo or bowl those many balls in a Test and win India the game?"Shami remains a formidable pacer, and his experience could prove invaluable in India's pursuit of the Champions Trophy and Test Championship. Gambhir and his coaching staff will need to carefully assess Shami's fitness, aspirations, and role in the team's future plans.

England's experimental T20I squad continued their dominance over New Zealand, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with a six-wicket victory in Canterbury. Sophie Ecclestone's exceptional bowling performance, coupled with an unbeaten half-century from Alice Capsey, proved too much for the White Ferns.Ecclestone's four-wicket haul, including the crucial dismissal of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, stifled the visitors' batting efforts. Devine's defiant 58* and Suzie Bates' 38 provided some resistance, but England's bowlers maintained control throughout the innings.In response, England's top-order struggled initially, losing two quick wickets to Fran Jonas. However, Sophia Dunkley's 26-ball 35 and Capsey's unbeaten 67* steadied the ship. Capsey's highest T20I score, coming off 60 deliveries, showcased her maturity and composure under pressure.Freya Kemp's quickfire 16* off eight balls sealed the victory for England, despite New Zealand's missed chances in the field. The White Ferns will rue their inability to capitalize on their opportunities, as England's clinical performance highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.With two matches remaining in the series, England's experimental approach has paid dividends. The team has shown depth and versatility, with several players stepping up to fill key roles. As the series progresses, it will be intriguing to see if England continues to rotate their squad and give more players a chance to impress.

India's five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe has taken an exciting turn after the African nation's surprising victory in the opening match. However, India bounced back with a dominant 100-run win in the second match, thanks to Abhishek Sharma's six-filled century.Former Zimbabwe cricketer Hamilton Masakadza believes his team has the potential to upset India in the remaining three matches. He highlights the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and Zimbabwe's use of the format to develop young players. Masakadza also praises the talent of the young Indian team led by Shubman Gill, but notes that they are still hungry to prove themselves.Regarding Zimbabwe captain Sikander Raza, Masakadza commends his aggressive and positive approach. He believes Raza's leadership will inspire the team to put pressure on India and achieve positive results. Masakadza also emphasizes the importance of other teams touring Zimbabwe to provide their players with valuable experience.He expresses optimism about Zimbabwe's chances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, despite their recent failure to qualify. Masakadza acknowledges the team's shortcomings but believes they are learning from their mistakes and improving.Masakadza reflects on the decline of Zimbabwe cricket, attributing it to poor decision-making and a lack of experience. However, he is confident that the current group of players is on the right path to rectify these issues.He praises Indian batting sensation Rinku Singh for his power-hitting abilities and expects him to make a significant impact on the tour. Masakadza also acknowledges the contributions of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who recently retired from T20Is. He expresses gratitude for their memorable performances and looks forward to their continued presence in other formats.