Cricket

The highly anticipated first T20I between Sri Lanka and West Indies commenced in Dambulla, with a massive turnout of enthusiastic spectators. The atmosphere was electric as the teams took to the field, their national anthems reverberating through the stadium.West Indies captain Rovman Powell elected to bowl first, citing the overcast conditions and damp outfield. He expressed confidence in his bowlers' ability to exploit the conditions. Powell also acknowledged the team's impressive form over the past year.Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka echoed Powell's sentiments, stating that they too would have preferred to bowl first. He emphasized the importance of starting preparations for the 2026 World Cup.The West Indies lineup featured several key players, including Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shai Hope, and Roston Chase. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, fielded a strong team led by Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Wanindu Hasaranga.The toss proved crucial, as West Indies' bowlers immediately made an impact. The Sri Lankan openers struggled to find their rhythm, with Pathum Nissanka dismissed early by Alzarri Joseph. Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera also fell cheaply, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 33/3.West Indies continued to dominate, with Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie sharing the wickets. Sri Lanka's middle order failed to provide any resistance, and they were eventually bowled out for a paltry 101 in 18.4 overs.In response, West Indies openers Evin Lewis and Brandon King got off to a solid start. However, they were both dismissed in quick succession, leaving the visitors at 32/2. Shai Hope and Roston Chase steadied the innings, but Sri Lanka's bowlers kept them in check.Despite a late surge from Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, West Indies fell short of the target, finishing on 93/7. Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana were the standout bowlers for Sri Lanka, claiming three wickets each.Sri Lanka secured a narrow victory by eight runs, taking an early lead in the three-match T20I series. The remaining two matches will be played in Dambulla, while the subsequent three ODIs will be held in Pallekele.

Pakistan's Test woes continue to draw criticism from former players, with legendary batsman Younis Khan launching a scathing attack on the team's captain, Shan Masood.Younis, without naming Masood directly, questioned his leadership abilities, stating that he lacks the necessary qualities and was appointed primarily due to his communication skills. "There are no qualities to lead a team in an individual, neither he is a leader material... still he has been given the responsibilities," Younis said.He criticized the mindset of appointing captains based on their ability to communicate effectively rather than their leadership potential. "Just because the people feel that ye hamari sunta hai, achha padha likha hai, ye English, Urdu, Pashto achhi bolta hai toh isko kaptaan bana do (He may not be a good player but if he listens to us, and speaks good English, Urdu and Pashto, so let's make him the captain). Please, get rid of this thinking," he added.Younis's comments come after Pakistan's heavy defeat to England in the first Test in Multan, which extended their losing streak to six consecutive Tests. The team's performance has raised concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level.In a further blow to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped former captain Babar Azam from the squad for the second and third Tests against England. Azam, who has been struggling for form, managed just 35 runs across both innings in the first Test.The PCB has also rested frontline pace duo Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah for the Tests. The selection committee's decision to rest key players has raised questions about Pakistan's strategy for the remaining matches of the series.

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid made a special appearance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, reuniting with captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. Dravid's presence brought a sense of nostalgia and inspiration to the practice session, as he shared lighter moments with the players and offered his guidance.Dravid, known for his astute cricketing mind and calm demeanor, remains a revered figure in Indian cricket. His presence at the practice session added motivation to Team India as they prepare for the challenging three-match Test series against New Zealand. The series will serve as a crucial test for India before their all-important five-match Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The second Test against New Zealand will take place in Pune starting October 24, while the third and final Test will be held in Mumbai from November 1. The series will also mark the first tour for newly-appointed Kiwi Test skipper Tom Latham as a full-time leader against India. Latham, 32, has led the team in nine matches till date, but this will be his first series as a permanent captain.India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named Rohit's deputy for the New Zealand series, indicating his potential promotion to a leadership role when the team heads to Australia next month. Young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna were also named as traveling reserves for the NZ series.The Indian team is determined to put up a strong performance against New Zealand and gain momentum ahead of their highly anticipated series against Australia. Dravid's presence at the practice session served as a reminder of the team's rich cricketing heritage and the importance of unity and preparation.

Bengal's openers, Sudip Chatterjee and Abhimanyu Easwaran, put the team in a commanding position in their Ranji Trophy Group A clash against Uttar Pradesh. After Bengal gained a 19-run first-innings lead, Chatterjee and Easwaran capitalized on the momentum, guiding their side to a comfortable 141 for no loss at the end of Day 3.Chatterjee, who scored a gritty 116 in Bengal's first innings, continued his impressive form with an unbeaten 59. The left-hander displayed resilience and technique, particularly under fading light conditions. Easwaran, who had struggled in the first innings, returned to form with an unbeaten 78. The stylish right-hander, who has been in contention for a reserve opener spot for India's tour of Australia, played with patience and composure, hitting seven well-timed boundaries.Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh resumed their innings at 206/3, looking to overhaul Bengal's total of 311. However, Bengal's India pacer Mukesh Kumar bowled a fiery spell, triggering a collapse as UP lost seven wickets for just 94. Kumar finished with figures of 4/43, while Shahbaz Ahmed claimed 4/96.The only resistance for UP came from Siddarth Yadav, who played a fighting knock of 73 off 127 balls. Yadav launched a counter-attack, smashing three sixes and six boundaries to help UP cross the 250-mark and reduce Bengal's first-innings lead.With Bengal holding a 160-run lead and a full day's play remaining, they are in a strong position to secure a victory. The match will resume on Monday, with Bengal looking to extend their lead and put pressure on Uttar Pradesh.

India vs Australia Live Score: India's Semifinal Hopes Hinge on Crucial Clash with Injury-Hit AustraliaIndia's Women's T20 World Cup campaign faces a pivotal test as they take on defending champions Australia in a must-win match in Sharjah. The match holds immense significance for India's semifinal aspirations, as they currently sit second in Group A with four points, behind Australia's six points.New Zealand's impressive eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka has intensified the pressure on India, as the Kiwis are also on four points and can potentially reach six points. India's 82-run victory over Sri Lanka boosted their net run rate from negative to positive, but they will need another convincing win to keep their knockout hopes alive.Australia, on the other hand, have all but secured their semifinal berth with three wins from three matches and an impressive net run rate of +2.786. However, the defending champions have suffered two injury setbacks, with skipper Alyssa Healy and fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck sidelined.India will be eager to capitalize on Australia's injury woes and secure a victory that would significantly enhance their chances of reaching the last four. Despite their setback against New Zealand in their opener, India's massive win over Sri Lanka has instilled confidence in the team.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams desperate for a win. India will be looking to control their destiny by securing another net-run-rate boosting victory, while Australia will be determined to maintain their unbeaten record and secure their place in the semifinals.

Mahela Jayawardene Returns as Mumbai Indians Head CoachFormer Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has been reappointed as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Jayawardene previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, leading the team to three IPL titles.After stepping down as head coach, Jayawardene took on the role of Global Head of Cricket for the Mumbai Indians, overseeing the franchise's cricketing operations across all levels. However, he has now returned to the helm of the IPL team, replacing Mark Boucher, who left the position after the 2023 season.Jayawardene expressed his excitement about his return to the Mumbai Indians, saying, "My journey within the MI family has always been one of evolution. In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well. Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to."Jayawardene's return to the Mumbai Indians is expected to bring stability and experience to the franchise. He is known for his astute tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players. Under his leadership, the Mumbai Indians have consistently been one of the most successful teams in the IPL, winning the title in 2017, 2019, and 2020.The Mumbai Indians will be hoping that Jayawardene can help them regain their dominance in the IPL. The team has struggled in recent seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs in the last two editions. Jayawardene's experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding the Mumbai Indians back to the top of the IPL standings.

England's fast-bowling stocks are on the rise, according to James Anderson, who believes the team is developing a "battery" of quicks ahead of next winter's Ashes tour.Anderson, who has been working as England's fast-bowling coach since his retirement in July, has been impressed by the emergence of a new generation of seam bowlers."The list is not endless, but it feels like it is growing and growing," Anderson said. "We've got the likes of Woody and Jofra [to come back in] but also Olly Stone and Josh Tongue. It feels like there's loads of guys coming through -- Josh Hull as well, who we think has got a good future."Anderson's comments come after a promising start to the Test series in Pakistan, where Gus Atkinson has taken 38 wickets at 21.86 in his first seven Tests. Brydon Carse also impressed on debut in Multan last week with his speed, skill, and stamina."Atkinson seems to rise to every challenge that's put in front of him," Anderson said. "Brydon was outstanding… To bowl 90mph in that heat, pretty consistently, was an amazing effort. He was accurate, he bowled good short stuff when we needed him to do that, and he bowls wicket-taking balls - and that's what we're after, as a bowling group."England are missing Mark Wood in Pakistan due to his elbow injury, while they still hope that Jofra Archer might return to Test cricket next year after a three-year absence."We've got a lot of options there," Anderson said. "It is really exciting for an England group at the minute, thinking of what we have ahead with India next summer, then Australia, and then going forward over the next three years."Anderson's involvement with England's fast bowlers is officially as a consultant coach for their winter Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, with his longer-term future with the team unclear. However, he left open the possibility of extending his role further down the line, potentially including next winter's Ashes tour."I'm really enjoying it," Anderson said. "We have an amazing coaching group who have been really helpful. I've not officially done this job before, but I feel like it's not far off where I was for the last few years of my career: trying to be there for bowlers, help them as much as possible, come up with ideas when we're in the field. It's been great… so far, so good."

New Zealand's fate in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals hangs in the balance once again, as they face a net run-rate scenario similar to their heartbreaks in 2014 and 2023. However, captain Sophie Devine remains unfazed, emphasizing their focus on controlling their own destiny.The outcome of India's match against Australia will determine the margin of victory New Zealand needs against Pakistan to qualify. Devine believes this situation is advantageous, as they can assess the situation before their final game.Despite the potential pressure, Devine is confident in her team's ability to adapt and execute. She acknowledges the threat posed by Pakistan, who recently defeated New Zealand in a T20I series. However, she stresses the importance of focusing on their own performance and not being distracted by external factors.New Zealand's tournament has been a rollercoaster, with a win against India followed by a loss to Australia. Against Sri Lanka, they overcame a challenging start to restrict their opponents to a manageable total and chase it down comfortably.Devine attributes their resilience to their ability to remain calm and level-headed amidst the ups and downs. She believes this approach will be crucial in their upcoming match against Pakistan, where they must balance the need to win with the potential emotional impact of Fatima Sana's return to the team after her father's funeral.

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a major blow with the loss of fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck for the remainder of the tournament. Vlaeminck dislocated her right shoulder while attempting to save a boundary in Australia's victory over Pakistan on Friday.The injury is a cruel setback for Vlaeminck, who was making her first World Cup appearance since 2018. The 23-year-old has endured a string of serious injuries throughout her career, including two ACL tears, a twice-dislocated left shoulder, and stress fractures to her foot.Vlaeminck's absence will be a significant loss for Australia, who are one of the favorites to win the tournament. The right-armer has been a key member of the team's bowling attack in recent years, and her pace and aggression will be missed.Australia have called up Heather Graham as Vlaeminck's replacement. Graham is a right-arm seam bowler who has played five T20Is and one ODI for Australia. She will be available for selection in Australia's final group game against India on Sunday.In addition to Vlaeminck's injury, Australia are also sweating on the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy. Healy suffered a right-foot injury while batting in the match against Pakistan. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but Healy is expected to undergo scans on Saturday.If Healy is ruled out of the tournament, it would be a major blow for Australia. The wicketkeeper-batter is one of the most experienced players in the team and her leadership will be missed.Australia will be hoping that both Vlaeminck and Healy can recover in time for the knockout stages of the tournament. However, the injuries are a reminder of the fragility of the human body and the challenges that athletes face in staying healthy.