Cricket

Sri Lanka's men's cricket team, led by Charith Asalanka, is aiming to recapture the glory days of the 2007-2014 era, when the team reached five World Cup finals and won the 2014 T20 title. After a string of limited overs series wins against India and West Indies, Asalanka believes the team has the potential to climb back into the top three of the ICC rankings."Our goal is to climb to the top three in the rankings," said Asalanka. "If we've consistently been winning, when we go to the ICC tournaments, we won't get exposed."Sri Lanka's recent resurgence has been built on the back of strong performances from new players such as Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka. Asalanka believes that the team's bench strength is improving, which will help them compete with the best teams in the world."We're hoping to play our best XI all the time," said Asalanka. "That's how our bench strength improves as well, because they then know how well you have to play to get a spot in that XI. And the players in the XI also fight for their own places."Sri Lanka's next challenge will be a series against New Zealand, which begins with a T20I on August 29. Asalanka is confident that his team can continue their winning ways and move up the ICC rankings."We are hoping to come back to that level," said Asalanka. "It's important to play really well from tour to tour."

Offspinner Amar Virdi's departure from Surrey marks the end of an era for the county, as the 26-year-old departs after a decade-long association with the club. Virdi's release comes as a surprise, given his impressive performances in Surrey's 2018 County Championship-winning season, where he claimed 39 wickets.Virdi's career trajectory has taken a downturn in recent years, with the offspinner falling out of favor with Surrey's management. The emergence of batting allrounders like Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence has limited Virdi's opportunities, despite his proven ability as a wicket-taker.In search of regular playing time, Virdi spent the latter part of the 2024 county season on loan at Worcestershire, where he impressed with 14 wickets in four matches. However, a permanent move to Worcestershire is unlikely, leaving Virdi's future uncertain.Virdi's departure is a significant loss for Surrey, who have relied heavily on his spin bowling in recent years. His ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch has been a key factor in Surrey's success, and his absence will be felt.For Virdi, the move away from Surrey presents an opportunity for a fresh start. The offspinner remains confident in his abilities and believes he has much to offer the game. With his experience and talent, Virdi is likely to attract interest from other counties looking to bolster their spin bowling options.

Sanju Samson's historic feat in Durban has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket. The 29-year-old became the first Indian to score back-to-back T20I centuries, a testament to his exceptional batting prowess.Samson's century against South Africa came on the heels of his scintillating 111 against Bangladesh in the previous T20I. He reached the milestone in just 47 balls, smashing 7 fours and 9 sixes. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, leaving the South African bowlers in awe.Samson's achievement is even more remarkable considering he has grabbed the opportunity presented by the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20I cricket. He has consistently performed in the shortest format, earning him a place in the Indian top order.The Kerala-born batsman is now part of an elite group of cricketers who have scored T20I centuries in consecutive matches. He joins England's Phil Salt, South Africa's Rilee Rossouw, and France's Gustav McKeon in this exclusive club.Samson's rise to prominence has been meteoric. He captained Rajasthan Royals to two IPL playoffs in the past three seasons, showcasing his leadership qualities and batting brilliance. His retention by the franchise for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction is a testament to his value.In the first T20I against South Africa, India won the toss and chose to bat first. Samson's century laid the foundation for a strong total, which India eventually defended to win the match.Samson's historic achievement is a proud moment for Indian cricket. It highlights the depth of talent in the country and the emergence of a new generation of stars. As India looks to build a formidable team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Samson's batting prowess will be crucial.

West Indies have bolstered their T20I squad with the return of key players Akeal Hosein, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, and Andre Russell for the upcoming series against England. The quartet missed the previous T20I fixtures in Sri Lanka due to personal reasons, but Hetmyer was recalled for the ODIs against England.The squad remains largely unchanged from the one that lost 2-1 to Sri Lanka, with Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, and Shamar Springer making way for Terrance Hinds, Matthew Forde, and Romario Shepherd. Hinds retains his place despite being uncapped, while Forde provides cover for Alzarri Joseph, who received a two-match suspension for walking off the field in the third ODI.West Indies head coach Daren Sammy expressed confidence in the selected squad, stating, "The T20 team is our most settled team with lots of experienced players. However, the difficulty will be picking the eleven, as every single player is challenging for a spot. As we face a very good England team, I am confident that the selected squad will continue to play a brand of cricket that allows us to win games and this 'Rivalry' series."After the two matches in Barbados, the teams will move to St Lucia for the remaining three games. West Indies are expected to confirm their squad for those matches in due course.

Sanju Samson Surpasses Dhoni and Pant, Joins Elite List of Indian Wicket-Keepers in T20IsNew Delhi: Indian batter Sanju Samson has etched his name in the record books by surpassing legendary wicket-keepers MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant in the shortest format of the game. During the first T20I against South Africa, Samson recorded his third 50+ score in T20Is, joining the likes of Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul, who also have three such scores as wicket-keepers for India.Samson's milestone came during an aggressive innings against South Africa, where he showcased his power and precision. The standout moment of his knock was when he smashed back-to-back sixes off Nqabayomzi Peter, reaching his half-century with a brilliant pull shot that sent the ball soaring in front of square.Samson's fifty came off just 27 balls, and his aggressive approach quickly put South Africa under pressure after they opted to bowl first. His remarkable strike rate of over 150 demonstrated his attacking mindset, as he carved up the South African bowlers with ease.Despite the early fall of Abhishek Sharma at 24, Samson and his partner Suryakumar Yadav took control, accelerating India's score and keeping a run rate of around 10 per over. Samson's innings played a crucial role in India's eventual victory, as they chased down South Africa's total of 106 with ease.With this feat, Samson has established himself as one of the most promising wicket-keepers in Indian cricket. His ability to combine aggressive batting with reliable glovework makes him a valuable asset to the team. As he continues to develop, Samson has the potential to become one of the best wicket-keepers in the world.

Indian National Anthem Interrupted Twice During T20I Opener Against South AfricaThe Indian national anthem was abruptly interrupted twice during the first T20I match between India and South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban, leaving players and fans alike bewildered. The technical glitch occurred just moments before the start of the game, cutting off the anthem mid-verse.The interruption left some players, including Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, visibly confused. While others, such as captain Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel, responded with smiles amidst the tension, fans watching off the field expressed frustration at the disruption.The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many finding the interruption disrespectful and questioning the organization behind the anthem's execution. Despite the anthem's eventual completion, the incident left a lasting impression, momentarily overshadowing the game's opening.With the anthem hiccup behind them, both teams were eager to shift focus back to cricket. South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to capitalize on any moisture in the pitch due to recent rains."We are going to bowl first. Looks a pretty good wicket. There has been some rain around this week and if there's moisture we want to make use of it. Fantastic opportunity for guys to make their debuts at home and it is a great time for them to enjoy the game. We are quite a competitive team and the discussions have been how can we get positive results," said Markram after winning the toss.On the Indian side, skipper Suryakumar Yadav shared that Team India was looking forward to setting a formidable total by batting first, especially on a surface that appeared more favourable than practice pitches."We were looking to bat first. The wicket looks nice, better than the practice wicket and we will try to put runs on the board. The guys in the dressing room have made my job easier, the fearless approach they play with for their respective franchises and have brought the same approach to the team," remarked the Indian skipper.

Virat Kohli, the beloved Indian cricket icon, was showered with love and admiration by his ardent fans at an event hosted by HSBC on November 7. The occasion marked a heartwarming celebration of Kohli's recent birthday, which fell on November 5.As Kohli graced the stage, the crowd erupted in a spontaneous rendition of "Happy Birthday," their voices echoing through the venue. The cricketer, visibly moved by the gesture, couldn't help but smile. Event host Gaurav Kapur, recognizing the special moment, reminded the audience of Kohli's birthday, prompting an even louder chorus of well wishes.Kohli's reaction to the outpouring of affection was a testament to his humility and genuine appreciation for his fans. He politely requested the crowd to stop singing, saying, "That's enough, thank you." However, the crowd's enthusiasm was infectious, and they continued to serenade him.The internet was abuzz with reactions to the heartwarming moment, with fans expressing their admiration for Kohli's down-to-earth nature. Many commented on his shy demeanor, which they found endearing.Kohli's birthday celebration came amidst a busy schedule for the Indian cricket team. The team is currently engaged in a Test series against New Zealand, with a subsequent series against Australia on the horizon. Kohli is expected to play a pivotal role in both series, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Despite a challenging year in Test cricket, Kohli remains determined to improve his performance. He will be eager to make a significant contribution to India's quest for a fifth consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory.Beyond the Test series, Kohli's focus will also shift to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. He has been retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for INR 21 crore, and rumors suggest that he may return as captain of the franchise.The IPL 2025 mega auction coincides with the dates of the first Test between India and Australia in Perth. Kohli will have to balance his commitments to the national team and his IPL franchise during this period.

South Africa's international home summer commenced with a thrilling encounter against India, with the hosts opting to chase in the first match. Aiden Markram, South Africa's captain, led a formidable lineup featuring a plethora of all-rounders.Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee made their long-awaited returns to the XI after recovering from injuries and conditioning blocks. Patrick Kruger, a T20 World Cup participant, retained his spot, while debutant Andile Simelane added another seam-bowling all-rounder to the mix.South Africa's bowling options were further bolstered by the presence of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, with Markram also capable of contributing with the ball. However, regular opening partner Reeza Hendricks was ruled out due to illness.India, on the other hand, opted for a spin-heavy approach, fielding two legspinners in Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, left-arm spinner Axar Patel, and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh. Right-arm quick Avesh Khan completed the bowling attack, while uncapped all-rounder Ramandeep Singh missed out. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma provided additional spin options for India.The batting lineup was led by Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. Yadav expressed his preference for batting first on a surface conducive to high-scoring. Despite overcast conditions, a strong breeze kept the pitch dry, promising an entertaining match for the sizable crowd.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asserted its determination to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan, rejecting the possibility of a hybrid model. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the board has not received any official communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressing concerns about the Indian team's participation in Pakistan.Naqvi's stance marks a departure from the PCB's previous cautious approach on the issue of India's reluctance to travel to Pakistan. He stated that the PCB is prepared to host all of India's matches in Lahore, which is conveniently located near the Indian border, to facilitate logistics and security. The PCB has also offered to arrange up to 17,000 visas for Indian fans during the tournament.Naqvi expressed confidence that Pakistan has demonstrated goodwill towards India in the past, referring to the team's participation in the ODI World Cup in India despite India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. He emphasized that Pakistan should not be expected to make such gestures indefinitely if India continues to decline to visit Pakistan.The PCB has identified three venues – Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi – for the tournament. Naqvi stated that "almost every country" is eager to see the Champions Trophy played in Pakistan and that the PCB will provide all necessary facilities.However, ESPNcricinfo reports that the BCCI has not yet discussed the matter internally. The Indian board's stance remains unchanged, and it will await the Indian government's approval before making a decision on whether to travel to Pakistan.The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, although the ICC has yet to officially announce the schedule.