1 hr. ago
Sarfaraz Khan made a big impact as a substitute fielder for the injured Rishabh Pant on Day 3 of India's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
His constant chatter from short leg appeared to unsettle Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan ******* wella, with both eventually getting out.
Before Manav Suthar bowled to Dhananjaya, the Sri Lankan captain stopped play because of movement behind the bowler's arm. Sarfaraz used the moment to distract him, telling him to focus on the ball instead.
"Nothing is there, bro. You are looking there. You are just wasting time, bro. Don't be scared. You are the captain. Come on, bro," he was heard saying on the stump mic.
Watch:
"Why are you worried about that side. Look straight," he added.
The tactic seemed to work soon after. Suthar dismissed Dhananjaya in the same over when the batter edged a tossed-up delivery. Dhruv Jurel's gloves deflected the ball towards slip, where KL Rahul eventually completed the catch. Dhananjaya was out for 8.
Sarfaraz continued his chatter when Niroshan ******* wella came to the crease. India also used short-pitched deliveries against the wicketkeeper-batter, a strategy that had worked in the first Test.
Despite the exchanges being accompanied by smiles, Sarfaraz had the final say when ******* wella gloved a delivery from Mohammed Siraj through to Jurel. His dismissal further strengthened India's position.
Earlier, India declared their first innings at 503/9. Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel scored centuries, while Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka's best bowler with four wickets.
#sarfaraz #dickwella #niroshan #dhruv
His constant chatter from short leg appeared to unsettle Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan ******* wella, with both eventually getting out.
Before Manav Suthar bowled to Dhananjaya, the Sri Lankan captain stopped play because of movement behind the bowler's arm. Sarfaraz used the moment to distract him, telling him to focus on the ball instead.
"Nothing is there, bro. You are looking there. You are just wasting time, bro. Don't be scared. You are the captain. Come on, bro," he was heard saying on the stump mic.
Watch:
"Why are you worried about that side. Look straight," he added.
The tactic seemed to work soon after. Suthar dismissed Dhananjaya in the same over when the batter edged a tossed-up delivery. Dhruv Jurel's gloves deflected the ball towards slip, where KL Rahul eventually completed the catch. Dhananjaya was out for 8.
Sarfaraz continued his chatter when Niroshan ******* wella came to the crease. India also used short-pitched deliveries against the wicketkeeper-batter, a strategy that had worked in the first Test.
Despite the exchanges being accompanied by smiles, Sarfaraz had the final say when ******* wella gloved a delivery from Mohammed Siraj through to Jurel. His dismissal further strengthened India's position.
Earlier, India declared their first innings at 503/9. Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel scored centuries, while Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka's best bowler with four wickets.
#sarfaraz #dickwella #niroshan #dhruv
10 hours ago
It was one of the riskiest singles Dhruv Jurel would have taken in his Test career. Anxious to complete his second Test century — and first overseas hundred — after being stranded on 99 for 12 ******* and made to wait by rain while on 95, Jurel punched the ball towards mid-off and sprinted for a single that just wasn't on.
The ball travelled quickly to the fielder after bouncing. But luck smiled on the 25-year-old batter. The fielder missed the direct hit and Jurel dived to complete the run and his century, which came off 171 ******* and had the entire Indian dressing room applauding as they shared the tension. Mohammed Siraj celebrated wildly, giving Jurel a bear hug.
Powered by Jurel's composed and flawless unbeaten 115 off 177 ******* , with nine fours and two sixes, and Rishabh Pant's entertaining 63 off 89 ******* , with six fours and two sixes, India declared at 503 for nine. Then, they reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 on Day Two of the second and final Test in Colombo on Monday.
The hosts were clearly unhappy about being asked to bat in fading light. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled off a brilliant diving catch at gully to send back Lahiru Udara for one off Prasidh Krishna in the second over.
In the third over, the hosts suffered another blow when nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya was trapped LBW for two by a fast, full delivery from Manav Suthar. Jayasuriya's agitated reaction after being dismissed reflected Sri Lanka's unhappiness at being asked to bat so late in the evening.
Kamil Mishara was batting on five when stumps were drawn at 5:51pm after an extended session. Shubman Gill and Co. deserve credit for their bowlers' early blows, as they did not leave the field even when the covers were being brought on because of the dark, wet conditions a few minutes earlier.
With the hosts trailing by 495 runs, India are now in control of the Test.
Jurel was involved in two vital partnerships, adding 112 for the seventh wicket with Pant, which lifted India from 307 for six, and 39 for the eighth with Manav Suthar. During his stand with Pant, Jurel played the ideal foil, reaching a patient fifty off 97 ******* .
Like Devdutt Padikkal, Jurel has enjoyed a breakout series. Having arrived in Sri Lanka without a fifty in eight innings and under pressure from Sarfaraz Khan for the No. 6 spot, he made a crucial 51 in the first Test and now has 173 runs in two Tests at 86.50.
Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, struck his 21st Test half-century and became India's leading run-scorer in World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill. Pant now has 2,948 runs in 42 WTC Tests, ahead of Gill's 2,917.
Earlier, India resumed on 300 for five and lost debutant Saransh Jain early for six.
#jurel
The ball travelled quickly to the fielder after bouncing. But luck smiled on the 25-year-old batter. The fielder missed the direct hit and Jurel dived to complete the run and his century, which came off 171 ******* and had the entire Indian dressing room applauding as they shared the tension. Mohammed Siraj celebrated wildly, giving Jurel a bear hug.
Powered by Jurel's composed and flawless unbeaten 115 off 177 ******* , with nine fours and two sixes, and Rishabh Pant's entertaining 63 off 89 ******* , with six fours and two sixes, India declared at 503 for nine. Then, they reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 on Day Two of the second and final Test in Colombo on Monday.
The hosts were clearly unhappy about being asked to bat in fading light. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled off a brilliant diving catch at gully to send back Lahiru Udara for one off Prasidh Krishna in the second over.
In the third over, the hosts suffered another blow when nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya was trapped LBW for two by a fast, full delivery from Manav Suthar. Jayasuriya's agitated reaction after being dismissed reflected Sri Lanka's unhappiness at being asked to bat so late in the evening.
Kamil Mishara was batting on five when stumps were drawn at 5:51pm after an extended session. Shubman Gill and Co. deserve credit for their bowlers' early blows, as they did not leave the field even when the covers were being brought on because of the dark, wet conditions a few minutes earlier.
With the hosts trailing by 495 runs, India are now in control of the Test.
Jurel was involved in two vital partnerships, adding 112 for the seventh wicket with Pant, which lifted India from 307 for six, and 39 for the eighth with Manav Suthar. During his stand with Pant, Jurel played the ideal foil, reaching a patient fifty off 97 ******* .
Like Devdutt Padikkal, Jurel has enjoyed a breakout series. Having arrived in Sri Lanka without a fifty in eight innings and under pressure from Sarfaraz Khan for the No. 6 spot, he made a crucial 51 in the first Test and now has 173 runs in two Tests at 86.50.
Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, struck his 21st Test half-century and became India's leading run-scorer in World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill. Pant now has 2,948 runs in 42 WTC Tests, ahead of Gill's 2,917.
Earlier, India resumed on 300 for five and lost debutant Saransh Jain early for six.
#jurel
1 day ago
NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant continued his remarkable rise through India's Test record books on Monday, surpassing captain Shubman Gill to become the country's highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history. Pant was unbeaten on 63 at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo as India reached 419/6.
Pant now has 2,948 runs from 42 Tests in the World Test Championship, moving ahead of Gill's 2,917 from the same number of matches. Rohit Sharma is third among Indian batters with 2,716 runs from 40 Tests, followed by Ravindra Jadeja (2,675 from 50) and Virat Kohli (2,617 from 46). Among current Indian players, Yashasvi Jaiswal is next with 2,588 runs from 30 Tests.
The latest milestone came during a crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who also reached his half-century. The pair had added an unbeaten 112 runs for the seventh wicket by lunch, helping India build a commanding first-innings total after losing six wickets.
Pant's latest achievement came on the back of another significant milestone earlier in the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter also moved past MS Dhoni to become India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.
Pant crossed 2,500 runs in the category, edging beyond Dhoni's 2,496. He has done so at an average of almost 42, compared with Dhoni's 32.84.
Farokh Engineer is third on the list with 1,209 runs at an average of 32.67, while Syed Kirmani has 1,109 at 21.74 and Kiran More 901 at 29.06.
Pant's latest landmarks have come despite an injury scare on the opening day. He had retired hurt after being struck on the left arm by a short delivery from Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru ***** ara, having scored only three runs.
Pant returned on Day 2 after Sri Lanka dismissed debutant Saransh Jain for six and immediately helped India regain control alongside Jurel. The pair negotiated Sri Lanka's pace attack and took India beyond 400 before the lunch interval.
The total of 419/6 is only the 11th time a team has posted 400 or more in the first innings of a Test at this venue. Six of the previous 10 instances resulted in victories, while four ended in draws.
The century partnership between Pant and Jurel is also only the second time India have registered a 100-plus stand for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka. The previous instance came at the same venue in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra added 104.
#tests #latest
Pant now has 2,948 runs from 42 Tests in the World Test Championship, moving ahead of Gill's 2,917 from the same number of matches. Rohit Sharma is third among Indian batters with 2,716 runs from 40 Tests, followed by Ravindra Jadeja (2,675 from 50) and Virat Kohli (2,617 from 46). Among current Indian players, Yashasvi Jaiswal is next with 2,588 runs from 30 Tests.
The latest milestone came during a crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who also reached his half-century. The pair had added an unbeaten 112 runs for the seventh wicket by lunch, helping India build a commanding first-innings total after losing six wickets.
Pant's latest achievement came on the back of another significant milestone earlier in the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter also moved past MS Dhoni to become India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.
Pant crossed 2,500 runs in the category, edging beyond Dhoni's 2,496. He has done so at an average of almost 42, compared with Dhoni's 32.84.
Farokh Engineer is third on the list with 1,209 runs at an average of 32.67, while Syed Kirmani has 1,109 at 21.74 and Kiran More 901 at 29.06.
Pant's latest landmarks have come despite an injury scare on the opening day. He had retired hurt after being struck on the left arm by a short delivery from Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru ***** ara, having scored only three runs.
Pant returned on Day 2 after Sri Lanka dismissed debutant Saransh Jain for six and immediately helped India regain control alongside Jurel. The pair negotiated Sri Lanka's pace attack and took India beyond 400 before the lunch interval.
The total of 419/6 is only the 11th time a team has posted 400 or more in the first innings of a Test at this venue. Six of the previous 10 instances resulted in victories, while four ended in draws.
The century partnership between Pant and Jurel is also only the second time India have registered a 100-plus stand for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka. The previous instance came at the same venue in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra added 104.
#tests #latest
1 day ago
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak firmly dismissed speculation surrounding Kuldeep Yadav's absence from the Colombo Test, insisting the left-arm wrist spinner was genuinely down with viral fever and there was "no need to fake" an illness to leave him out of the XI.
"If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn't play, there is no need to fake that he wasn't keeping well," Kotak said, stressing that Kuldeep was unfit to take the field.
Kotak also provided a positive update on Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt on two after being struck on the left wrist by a Lahiru ****** ara bouncer shortly after tea on Day 1. The wicketkeeper-batter received treatment before leaving the field, but Kotak said he was expected to resume his innings on Monday.
India ended the day on 300/5 with Dhruv Jurel and Saransh Jain unbeaten, while hoping Pant's return can help push the total higher.
The opening day also saw tempers flare when Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando exchanged words following the opener's dismissal. Kotak termed it a "heat of the moment" incident, though he felt Jaiswal should not have approached the bowler. Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk called the confrontation an "overflow of emotion", leaving any disciplinary action in the hands of match referee Andy Pycroft.
#kotak #India #jaiswal #spinner
"If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn't play, there is no need to fake that he wasn't keeping well," Kotak said, stressing that Kuldeep was unfit to take the field.
Kotak also provided a positive update on Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt on two after being struck on the left wrist by a Lahiru ****** ara bouncer shortly after tea on Day 1. The wicketkeeper-batter received treatment before leaving the field, but Kotak said he was expected to resume his innings on Monday.
India ended the day on 300/5 with Dhruv Jurel and Saransh Jain unbeaten, while hoping Pant's return can help push the total higher.
The opening day also saw tempers flare when Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando exchanged words following the opener's dismissal. Kotak termed it a "heat of the moment" incident, though he felt Jaiswal should not have approached the bowler. Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk called the confrontation an "overflow of emotion", leaving any disciplinary action in the hands of match referee Andy Pycroft.
#kotak #India #jaiswal #spinner
2 days ago
NEW DELHI: India made one change to their playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday, with Kuldeep Yadav missing out after failing to fully recover from a viral infection and Saransh Jain making his Test debut.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first, with the hosts also handing Test debuts to Kamil Mishara and Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
India entered the second Test with an unassailable 1-0 lead after their 165-run victory in the series opener at Galle. However, Kuldeep's absence meant India had to alter their combination, with Jain coming into the XI as the spin-bowling allrounder.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Kuldeep remains unavailable for selection but could still be used in a specific situation.
"Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required," the BCCI said.
Gill also addressed Kuldeep's absence after winning the toss, confirming that an infection had ruled out the left-arm wristspinner.
"[Playing XI] Kuldeep, unfortunately, had some infections, so he misses out, and Saransh makes his debut for India," Gill said.
With Kuldeep unavailable, Jain received his first opportunity at Test level. The 33-year-old was presented his India cap by Ravindra Jadeja during the team's huddle before the start of play.
Jain becomes the first India player to make his international debut after turning 33 since Robin Singh in 1998.
Gill opted to bat after ******* sing the Colombo surface and felt it offered better batting conditions than the pitch in Galle.
"Batting first, yes. [On the pitch] It looks like a much harder, much better surface compared to Galle. Galle was also a very good wicket, but I think as the game went on, it got a little bit slower and the ball started to turn. We're expecting the same, but I think for the first two or three days, I think it'll be a really good wicket to bat on," Gill said.
Reflecting on India's dominant win in the first Test, Gill rated the team's performance highly but admitted there was still room for improvement.
"[How he would rate the Galle win] I would say probably a nine, because there's always room for improvement, and I think we played a pretty good match, a decent match. And obviously there were some areas where we could have got a little bit better, but, you know, this is Test cricket. It's very, very difficult to be able to have a near-perfect game because you're playing for five days, and to play that dominant and consistent cricket, especially in Test, is hard. But I think overall we had a pretty good match," Gill said.
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka P
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first, with the hosts also handing Test debuts to Kamil Mishara and Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
India entered the second Test with an unassailable 1-0 lead after their 165-run victory in the series opener at Galle. However, Kuldeep's absence meant India had to alter their combination, with Jain coming into the XI as the spin-bowling allrounder.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Kuldeep remains unavailable for selection but could still be used in a specific situation.
"Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required," the BCCI said.
Gill also addressed Kuldeep's absence after winning the toss, confirming that an infection had ruled out the left-arm wristspinner.
"[Playing XI] Kuldeep, unfortunately, had some infections, so he misses out, and Saransh makes his debut for India," Gill said.
With Kuldeep unavailable, Jain received his first opportunity at Test level. The 33-year-old was presented his India cap by Ravindra Jadeja during the team's huddle before the start of play.
Jain becomes the first India player to make his international debut after turning 33 since Robin Singh in 1998.
Gill opted to bat after ******* sing the Colombo surface and felt it offered better batting conditions than the pitch in Galle.
"Batting first, yes. [On the pitch] It looks like a much harder, much better surface compared to Galle. Galle was also a very good wicket, but I think as the game went on, it got a little bit slower and the ball started to turn. We're expecting the same, but I think for the first two or three days, I think it'll be a really good wicket to bat on," Gill said.
Reflecting on India's dominant win in the first Test, Gill rated the team's performance highly but admitted there was still room for improvement.
"[How he would rate the Galle win] I would say probably a nine, because there's always room for improvement, and I think we played a pretty good match, a decent match. And obviously there were some areas where we could have got a little bit better, but, you know, this is Test cricket. It's very, very difficult to be able to have a near-perfect game because you're playing for five days, and to play that dominant and consistent cricket, especially in Test, is hard. But I think overall we had a pretty good match," Gill said.
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka P
5 days ago
Talk about arriving in Test cricket with a bang. Just minutes after Manav Suthar bowled debutant Keshara Nuwantha to seal India's emphatic 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, heavy rain lashed the venue.
By then, however, the damage had been done, with the young left-arm spinner delivering a performance for the ages.
Suthar ripped through Sri Lanka's lower order in a sensational spell. In the 76th over, he bowled a three-wicket maiden, dismissing the resolute Sonal Dinusha (84; 128b, 8x4, 1x6), who was caught at leg slip by Dhruv Jurel, before removing Prabhat Jayasuriya for a duck off the very next ball. Though he missed out on a hat-trick, Suthar completed his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket by having Lahiru ****** ara caught behind.
His late burst earned him figures of 6-55 in 23.4 overs as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206 in 77.4 overs while chasing an improbable 372. The 24-year-old finished with match figures of 10/131 in 45.2 overs after taking 4-76 in the first innings, making him the undisputed architect of India's victory and making the team's 600th Test memorable.
The victory also kept India firmly in contention for a place in the 2027 World Test Championship final. They remain fifth in the standings but improved their points percentage to 53.33 while Sri Lanka stayed sixth on 33.33. Australia currently lead the table, followed by South Africa. With one match left in the series, Sri Lanka can no longer win it but will aim to deny India a series victory in the second Test beginning on Sunday.
Chasing what would have been the highest successful fourth-innings total in Galle, Sri Lanka never threatened after beginning the final day at 84-4. While Suthar dominated proceedings, pacer Prasidh Krishna also played a key role, producing a fiery spell to finish with 2-16 from 10 overs.
Prasidh's second wicket came after an intriguing exchange involving Niroshan ****** wella. Amid constant chatter from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who challenged him to play the hook shot and jokingly suggested he could recommend him to his IPL coach ****** ar Sangakkara, ****** wella appeared distracted.
Attempting an ambitious stroke after backing away from the stumps, the left-hander top-edged to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and departed for 10.
Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, looked off-colour, returning figures of 1/38 from 11 overs, which could prompt discussions about giving rookie off-spinner Saransh Jain an opportunity in Colombo.
#suthar #Cricket #left #victory
By then, however, the damage had been done, with the young left-arm spinner delivering a performance for the ages.
Suthar ripped through Sri Lanka's lower order in a sensational spell. In the 76th over, he bowled a three-wicket maiden, dismissing the resolute Sonal Dinusha (84; 128b, 8x4, 1x6), who was caught at leg slip by Dhruv Jurel, before removing Prabhat Jayasuriya for a duck off the very next ball. Though he missed out on a hat-trick, Suthar completed his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket by having Lahiru ****** ara caught behind.
His late burst earned him figures of 6-55 in 23.4 overs as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206 in 77.4 overs while chasing an improbable 372. The 24-year-old finished with match figures of 10/131 in 45.2 overs after taking 4-76 in the first innings, making him the undisputed architect of India's victory and making the team's 600th Test memorable.
The victory also kept India firmly in contention for a place in the 2027 World Test Championship final. They remain fifth in the standings but improved their points percentage to 53.33 while Sri Lanka stayed sixth on 33.33. Australia currently lead the table, followed by South Africa. With one match left in the series, Sri Lanka can no longer win it but will aim to deny India a series victory in the second Test beginning on Sunday.
Chasing what would have been the highest successful fourth-innings total in Galle, Sri Lanka never threatened after beginning the final day at 84-4. While Suthar dominated proceedings, pacer Prasidh Krishna also played a key role, producing a fiery spell to finish with 2-16 from 10 overs.
Prasidh's second wicket came after an intriguing exchange involving Niroshan ****** wella. Amid constant chatter from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who challenged him to play the hook shot and jokingly suggested he could recommend him to his IPL coach ****** ar Sangakkara, ****** wella appeared distracted.
Attempting an ambitious stroke after backing away from the stumps, the left-hander top-edged to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and departed for 10.
Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, looked off-colour, returning figures of 1/38 from 11 overs, which could prompt discussions about giving rookie off-spinner Saransh Jain an opportunity in Colombo.
#suthar #Cricket #left #victory
7 days ago
'Awful umpiring', 'Clearly not out': Cricket World reacts to Dhruv Jurel catch controversy in IND vs SL Test as ball appears to scrape turf originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dhruv Jurel's catch to dismiss Lahiru Udara sparked a major controversy in Galle.
Replays suggested the ball may have brushed the turf as the catch was completed.
Reserve umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri was officiating during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka after Rod Tucker fell unwell.
India's charge towards victory in Galle was interrupted by a flashpoint that had the cricket world in near-unanimous agreement, and not in the third umpire's favour. Dhruv Jurel's catch to remove Lahiru Udara was given out despite replays appearing to show the ball making contact with the ground.
#Cricket #ball #udara #galle
Dhruv Jurel's catch to dismiss Lahiru Udara sparked a major controversy in Galle.
Replays suggested the ball may have brushed the turf as the catch was completed.
Reserve umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri was officiating during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka after Rod Tucker fell unwell.
India's charge towards victory in Galle was interrupted by a flashpoint that had the cricket world in near-unanimous agreement, and not in the third umpire's favour. Dhruv Jurel's catch to remove Lahiru Udara was given out despite replays appearing to show the ball making contact with the ground.
#Cricket #ball #udara #galle
8 days ago
Devdutt Padikkal's long wait for a breakthrough in Test cricket has finally turned into a statement innings, and KL Rahul believes the left-hander's success in Galle is the reward for years of quiet work behind the scenes. Padikkal produced a magnificent 167 in the first Test against Sri Lanka, his maiden Test century, as India posted 462 all out in their first innings on Day 3. The left-hander's marathon knock, his third Test appearance, stood out as India built a commanding total despite rain interruptions and a late fightback from Sri Lanka's spinners.
Speaking in a video posted by the BCCI, Rahul revealed that Padikkal had spent the last couple of years patiently waiting for his opportunity while working on his game.
"In the last couple of years he's been waiting for his opportunity and quietly toiling in the nets and trying to get better at some aspects of his batting," Rahul said.
Padikkal's preparation for the Sri Lanka tour began well before the first Test. He had represented India A in Sri Lanka and also scored a century in the warm-up game, giving him valuable exposure to the conditions. Rahul said those experiences, combined with their conversations, helped Padikkal understand what would be required once he got his chance at the highest level.
"He's someone who's come here before, scored some runs in India A as well. So just getting used to the condition, he scored 100 in the warm-up game as well. He's been amongst runs, he's someone who loves batting and scoring big runs," Rahul added.
Padikkal walked in after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early and gradually took control of the innings. He combined patience with elegant strokeplay, eventually reaching his maiden Test hundred and continuing all the way to 167, his highest score in the format. His innings included 15 fours and a six.
For Rahul, the significance of Padikkal's hundred goes beyond the numbers. He believes getting a first Test century early in a career can remove a major psychological barrier and allow a batter to play with greater freedom.
"I'm really happy that he could get the first hundred and that's really special for everybody and very important to get that early in your career so you can get that out of the way and then start enjoying your cricket and start enjoying your batting and take your batting to the next level," Rahul said.
"I think he's at a stage where he understands his batting really well and he's scoring lots of runs so I think he'll make that move into scoring bigger knocks for India and being more consistent," Rahul added.
India eventually finished on 462 in 116.4 overs, taking a substantial advantage into Sri Lanka's first innings. Padikkal was the star with 167, while Rahul contributed 82 and Dhruv Jurel added a valuable 51. Rishabh Pant made 39, while the lower order ensured India crossed the 450-mark despite Sri Lanka's late fightback.
Sri Lanka's spinners eventually made inroads, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 4/109 and debu
Speaking in a video posted by the BCCI, Rahul revealed that Padikkal had spent the last couple of years patiently waiting for his opportunity while working on his game.
"In the last couple of years he's been waiting for his opportunity and quietly toiling in the nets and trying to get better at some aspects of his batting," Rahul said.
Padikkal's preparation for the Sri Lanka tour began well before the first Test. He had represented India A in Sri Lanka and also scored a century in the warm-up game, giving him valuable exposure to the conditions. Rahul said those experiences, combined with their conversations, helped Padikkal understand what would be required once he got his chance at the highest level.
"He's someone who's come here before, scored some runs in India A as well. So just getting used to the condition, he scored 100 in the warm-up game as well. He's been amongst runs, he's someone who loves batting and scoring big runs," Rahul added.
Padikkal walked in after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early and gradually took control of the innings. He combined patience with elegant strokeplay, eventually reaching his maiden Test hundred and continuing all the way to 167, his highest score in the format. His innings included 15 fours and a six.
For Rahul, the significance of Padikkal's hundred goes beyond the numbers. He believes getting a first Test century early in a career can remove a major psychological barrier and allow a batter to play with greater freedom.
"I'm really happy that he could get the first hundred and that's really special for everybody and very important to get that early in your career so you can get that out of the way and then start enjoying your cricket and start enjoying your batting and take your batting to the next level," Rahul said.
"I think he's at a stage where he understands his batting really well and he's scoring lots of runs so I think he'll make that move into scoring bigger knocks for India and being more consistent," Rahul added.
India eventually finished on 462 in 116.4 overs, taking a substantial advantage into Sri Lanka's first innings. Padikkal was the star with 167, while Rahul contributed 82 and Dhruv Jurel added a valuable 51. Rishabh Pant made 39, while the lower order ensured India crossed the 450-mark despite Sri Lanka's late fightback.
Sri Lanka's spinners eventually made inroads, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 4/109 and debu
9 days ago
'Sarfaraz Khan is sitting': Mohammed Kaif explains why Dhruv Jurel's fiery 50 vs Sri Lanka was crucial on Day 2 in Galle originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mohammad Kaif praised Dhruv Jurel's fifty against Sri Lanka on Day 2 in Galle.
Ex-India star noted Jurel batted under pressure with Sarfaraz Khan waiting in the wings.
Jurel's 55-run stand with Manav Suthar came during an India collapse.
Dhruv Jurel's half-century in Galle arrived at precisely the moment India needed it, and former batter Mohammad Kaif believes its value will only become clearer as the Test unfolds. The wicketkeeper-batter's counter-attacking knock steadied an innings that had begun to wobble badly.
#India #khan
Mohammad Kaif praised Dhruv Jurel's fifty against Sri Lanka on Day 2 in Galle.
Ex-India star noted Jurel batted under pressure with Sarfaraz Khan waiting in the wings.
Jurel's 55-run stand with Manav Suthar came during an India collapse.
Dhruv Jurel's half-century in Galle arrived at precisely the moment India needed it, and former batter Mohammad Kaif believes its value will only become clearer as the Test unfolds. The wicketkeeper-batter's counter-attacking knock steadied an innings that had begun to wobble badly.
#India #khan
9 days ago
India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel revealed that the visitors had a clear plan to score quickly but sensibly on the rain-affected second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. India eventually ended the day at 460/9, with Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 12 and Prasidh Krishna on 1.
Jurel walked in after India had already lost KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant but played an attacking knock to keep the momentum going. The right-hander struck 51 off 68 deliveries, including four fours and a six. He added a crucial 55-run partnership with Manav Suthar, helping India cross the 400-run mark.
"There was a plan to score runs briskly, but sensibly. We weren't looking to go bonkers from ball one, but there was a plan," Jurel said during the post-match press conference.
The India batter also revealed that his previous experience of playing in Sri Lanka with India A helped him understand the conditions and approach the innings with confidence.
"I know conditions here, having played for India A here. I was under no pressure, it's a privilege to play for India," Jurel added.
Jurel was given a reprieve on 29 when Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva dropped a difficult chance at first slip. However, the captain later made amends by taking a spectacular catch to dismiss Jurel off Prabath Jayasuriya.
The standout performer for India was Devdutt Padikkal, who continued his sensational form from Day 1 to score a magnificent 167 off 230 ******* . Padikkal's innings included 15 fours and a six, and he became only the third Indian batter to score 150 or more against Sri Lanka from the No. 3 position, joining Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Jurel was full of praise for his teammate and pointed out that Padikkal has consistently delivered whenever opportunities have come his way.
"Devdutt scores whenever he gets a chance," Dhruv Jurel said.
Padikkal's dismissal eventually triggered another phase of Sri Lankan pressure, with Prabath Jayasuriya finishing with 4/109 and Keshara Nuwantha taking 3/175.
Despite India's imposing total, Jurel knows the job is far from finished. The wicketkeeper-batter stressed that India's bowlers will need to maintain discipline and be prepared for long spells when Sri Lanka begin their first innings.
"We need to bowl long spells here and be consistent with lengths. We need to take 20 wickets," he said.
The second day was heavily disrupted by rain, with the morning session completely washed out before play finally resumed at 2:35 PM local time. India began the day at 288/2 and lost seven wickets for 172 runs, but still managed to build a formidable first-innings total. KL Rahul scored 82 after returning to the crease following cramps on Day 1, while Rishabh Pant made 39 and Ravindra Jadeja contributed 13.
#jurel #first #rahul
Jurel walked in after India had already lost KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant but played an attacking knock to keep the momentum going. The right-hander struck 51 off 68 deliveries, including four fours and a six. He added a crucial 55-run partnership with Manav Suthar, helping India cross the 400-run mark.
"There was a plan to score runs briskly, but sensibly. We weren't looking to go bonkers from ball one, but there was a plan," Jurel said during the post-match press conference.
The India batter also revealed that his previous experience of playing in Sri Lanka with India A helped him understand the conditions and approach the innings with confidence.
"I know conditions here, having played for India A here. I was under no pressure, it's a privilege to play for India," Jurel added.
Jurel was given a reprieve on 29 when Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva dropped a difficult chance at first slip. However, the captain later made amends by taking a spectacular catch to dismiss Jurel off Prabath Jayasuriya.
The standout performer for India was Devdutt Padikkal, who continued his sensational form from Day 1 to score a magnificent 167 off 230 ******* . Padikkal's innings included 15 fours and a six, and he became only the third Indian batter to score 150 or more against Sri Lanka from the No. 3 position, joining Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Jurel was full of praise for his teammate and pointed out that Padikkal has consistently delivered whenever opportunities have come his way.
"Devdutt scores whenever he gets a chance," Dhruv Jurel said.
Padikkal's dismissal eventually triggered another phase of Sri Lankan pressure, with Prabath Jayasuriya finishing with 4/109 and Keshara Nuwantha taking 3/175.
Despite India's imposing total, Jurel knows the job is far from finished. The wicketkeeper-batter stressed that India's bowlers will need to maintain discipline and be prepared for long spells when Sri Lanka begin their first innings.
"We need to bowl long spells here and be consistent with lengths. We need to take 20 wickets," he said.
The second day was heavily disrupted by rain, with the morning session completely washed out before play finally resumed at 2:35 PM local time. India began the day at 288/2 and lost seven wickets for 172 runs, but still managed to build a formidable first-innings total. KL Rahul scored 82 after returning to the crease following cramps on Day 1, while Rishabh Pant made 39 and Ravindra Jadeja contributed 13.
#jurel #first #rahul
9 days ago
TimesofIndia.com in Galle: The build-up to the second day of the Test focused on how many runs India needed before making Sri Lanka bat. Bat once and bat big had been the undertone of this fixture, and India's solid start on the opening day pointed in that direction. However, just like the weather, the mood changed at a frantic pace when Sri Lanka took the second new ball to dent India's hopes of batting the hosts out of the contest.
Three overnight batters, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul (who retired hurt on Day 1) and centurion Devdutt Padikkal, were dismissed in the first ninety minutes of play after the weather kept both camps confined to the dressing room for over five hours. From 'how much is too much' to 'how long will they survive', the nature of the conversations changed after a period in which the Sri Lanka bowlers sustained pressure.
Debutant Keshara Nuwantha was the wrecker-in-chief, and his adjustment of length proved ideal for the Day 2 surface, which offered sharp turn and encouraging bounce. Day 3 is widely considered the moving day in a multi-day fixture, but it came earlier than usual as Pant couldn't convert his start, Rahul was undone by sharp turn and an even better catch, and Jadeja was trapped in front by a delivery that went on with the arm from the perfect length.
Amid all the first-session chaos, the most **** ured batter from the visitors' camp held fort for a while, continuing from where he had left off, and looked set for a double hundred before falling for 167. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took the prized wicket of Padikkal and later dismissed another set batter, Dhruv Jurel, who scored a breezy 51. Before being dismissed, Jurel looked very **** ured and added valuable runs with Manav Suthar, pushing India's total to a number that keeps them in a dominant position.
The right-hander remained busy, and there was a sense of urgency in his stand with Suthar as they negotiated the Sri Lanka attack during the closing hour of play. They got together when Jadeja was dismissed in the 99th over, with the scoreboard reading 377/6, and added 55 runs for the seventh wicket. Gill, in the pre-match press conference, had stressed the contributions from the lower order, and the partnership between Jurel and Suthar was the kind of effort he was looking for to keep the momentum on their side.
Galle was gloomy, the skies were angry, and the heavy downpour in the early hours meant the scheduled early start to make up for lost overs wasn't possible. To make matters worse, the constant hide-and-seek between clouds, sun and rain continued for over five hours, and even the groundstaff's best efforts were not enough as the rain refused to relent.
They kept removing the covers after seeing clear skies, but all the hard work was undone as the strong crosswinds kept bringing the dark clouds over the stadium. The moment clear skies ahead offered hope, the darkness in the rearview forced the over-100-member team to keep panning and cr
Three overnight batters, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul (who retired hurt on Day 1) and centurion Devdutt Padikkal, were dismissed in the first ninety minutes of play after the weather kept both camps confined to the dressing room for over five hours. From 'how much is too much' to 'how long will they survive', the nature of the conversations changed after a period in which the Sri Lanka bowlers sustained pressure.
Debutant Keshara Nuwantha was the wrecker-in-chief, and his adjustment of length proved ideal for the Day 2 surface, which offered sharp turn and encouraging bounce. Day 3 is widely considered the moving day in a multi-day fixture, but it came earlier than usual as Pant couldn't convert his start, Rahul was undone by sharp turn and an even better catch, and Jadeja was trapped in front by a delivery that went on with the arm from the perfect length.
Amid all the first-session chaos, the most **** ured batter from the visitors' camp held fort for a while, continuing from where he had left off, and looked set for a double hundred before falling for 167. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took the prized wicket of Padikkal and later dismissed another set batter, Dhruv Jurel, who scored a breezy 51. Before being dismissed, Jurel looked very **** ured and added valuable runs with Manav Suthar, pushing India's total to a number that keeps them in a dominant position.
The right-hander remained busy, and there was a sense of urgency in his stand with Suthar as they negotiated the Sri Lanka attack during the closing hour of play. They got together when Jadeja was dismissed in the 99th over, with the scoreboard reading 377/6, and added 55 runs for the seventh wicket. Gill, in the pre-match press conference, had stressed the contributions from the lower order, and the partnership between Jurel and Suthar was the kind of effort he was looking for to keep the momentum on their side.
Galle was gloomy, the skies were angry, and the heavy downpour in the early hours meant the scheduled early start to make up for lost overs wasn't possible. To make matters worse, the constant hide-and-seek between clouds, sun and rain continued for over five hours, and even the groundstaff's best efforts were not enough as the rain refused to relent.
They kept removing the covers after seeing clear skies, but all the hard work was undone as the strong crosswinds kept bringing the dark clouds over the stadium. The moment clear skies ahead offered hope, the darkness in the rearview forced the over-100-member team to keep panning and cr
13 days ago
The PGA Tour has landed a new ******* le sponsor for one of its oldest events.
Just days after the completion of this year's Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Tour announced on Wednesday that Raymond James, a wealth management company based in St. Petersburg, Florida, will take over as the ******* le sponsor of the event beginning in 2027, and the tournament will be contested as part of the PGA Tour Championship Series beginning in 2028 as part of a multi-year agreement.
As one of the longest-running stops on Tour, the Greensboro-area event has been a mainstay on the schedule since its inception in 1938. In a nod to its original name, GO by Raymond James will be contested at Sedgefield Country Club from Aug. 2-8, 2027, as a full-field event.
"The PGA Tour's Greensboro event has one of the richest histories in men's professional golf, and we are proud to continue building on its longstanding legacy and local charitable impact with the support of our new partners at Raymond James," said Dhruv Prasad, PGA Tour chief commercial officer in a statement. "Greensboro has supported the PGA Tour for nearly nine decades, and we are excited to launch this new chapter by bringing the best players in the world to the Piedmont Triad region."
"GO by Raymond James represents an important investment in the future of our firm and the PGA Tour and reflects our confidence in the new leadership and vision of the Tour along with the strength of the leaders of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation," said Raymond James CEO Paul Shoukry. "This partnership gives us a powerful platform to introduce more people to the breadth of our capabilities and the relationship-driven, values-based approach that has long distinguished Raymond James.
#triad #title
Just days after the completion of this year's Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Tour announced on Wednesday that Raymond James, a wealth management company based in St. Petersburg, Florida, will take over as the ******* le sponsor of the event beginning in 2027, and the tournament will be contested as part of the PGA Tour Championship Series beginning in 2028 as part of a multi-year agreement.
As one of the longest-running stops on Tour, the Greensboro-area event has been a mainstay on the schedule since its inception in 1938. In a nod to its original name, GO by Raymond James will be contested at Sedgefield Country Club from Aug. 2-8, 2027, as a full-field event.
"The PGA Tour's Greensboro event has one of the richest histories in men's professional golf, and we are proud to continue building on its longstanding legacy and local charitable impact with the support of our new partners at Raymond James," said Dhruv Prasad, PGA Tour chief commercial officer in a statement. "Greensboro has supported the PGA Tour for nearly nine decades, and we are excited to launch this new chapter by bringing the best players in the world to the Piedmont Triad region."
"GO by Raymond James represents an important investment in the future of our firm and the PGA Tour and reflects our confidence in the new leadership and vision of the Tour along with the strength of the leaders of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation," said Raymond James CEO Paul Shoukry. "This partnership gives us a powerful platform to introduce more people to the breadth of our capabilities and the relationship-driven, values-based approach that has long distinguished Raymond James.
#triad #title
13 days ago
Add the PGA Tour's Greensboro, North Carolina, stop to the growing list of Championship Series events that will be the core of the circuit's schedule beginning in 2028.
The Tour announced Wednesday that Raymond James, a financial services company, will take over as the ****** le sponsor of the Greensboro event beginning in 2027. It will be a full-field event next year and become a Championship Series tournament starting in 2028, when the circuit shifts to a new competitive model with two tiers.
The Championship Series will feature 23-24 events, including the four majors, The Players Championship, the international team competitions and the reimagined post-season, which will likely be two events. Five Championship Series events have been announced, including the Cadillac Championship, Travelers Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Sentry at Torrey Pines (Calif.) and a new event that will be sponsored by Sompo, an insurance and financial services company.
The GO by Raymond James is a nod to the event's original name, the Greater Greensboro Open, which began in 1938.
"The PGA Tour's Greensboro event has one of the richest histories in men's professional golf, and we are proud to continue building on its longstanding legacy and local charitable impact with the support of our new partners at Raymond James," said Dhruv Prasad, the Tour's chief commercial officer. "Greensboro has supported the PGA Tour for nearly nine decades, and we are excited to launch this new chapter by bringing the best players in the world to the Piedmont Triad region."
#raymond #Event #players #beginning
The Tour announced Wednesday that Raymond James, a financial services company, will take over as the ****** le sponsor of the Greensboro event beginning in 2027. It will be a full-field event next year and become a Championship Series tournament starting in 2028, when the circuit shifts to a new competitive model with two tiers.
The Championship Series will feature 23-24 events, including the four majors, The Players Championship, the international team competitions and the reimagined post-season, which will likely be two events. Five Championship Series events have been announced, including the Cadillac Championship, Travelers Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Sentry at Torrey Pines (Calif.) and a new event that will be sponsored by Sompo, an insurance and financial services company.
The GO by Raymond James is a nod to the event's original name, the Greater Greensboro Open, which began in 1938.
"The PGA Tour's Greensboro event has one of the richest histories in men's professional golf, and we are proud to continue building on its longstanding legacy and local charitable impact with the support of our new partners at Raymond James," said Dhruv Prasad, the Tour's chief commercial officer. "Greensboro has supported the PGA Tour for nearly nine decades, and we are excited to launch this new chapter by bringing the best players in the world to the Piedmont Triad region."
#raymond #Event #players #beginning
14 days ago
NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has welcomed Sarfaraz Khan's return to India's Test squad and backed him to make the playing XI against Sri Lanka, arguing that his ability against spin could make him a better option than Dhruv Jurel in the conditions expected in Galle.
Sarfaraz was added to India's squad as a replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan and joined the team in Sri Lanka on Monday. His return has also reignited the debate over his prolonged absence from the Test setup, having last played for India against New Zealand in November 2024.
Kaif, while discussing Sarfaraz's comeback on his YouTube channel, questioned why the batter was left out after his initial run in the side. He stressed that poor performance was not the reason for Sarfaraz's exclusion.
"There was a reason he was not allowed to play. Performance was not the reason. There was no reason. That his runs were not getting made, that the bat was not working. He made runs against New Zealand. He came across the field. He was playing well. He was in form. When he scored against England, he had a good start," Kaif said.
Kaif also praised the decision-makers for bringing Sarfaraz back, believing his skill against spin could prove valuable in Sri Lanka.
"Whatever happened in between, he was removed. But now, whoever said that he should come back, I feel that he is thinking for India. India is thinking for cricket. We have to win. We will need good players. We will need good players. We will need good players who play well," Kaif further said.
He added: "So, first of all, whoever has named him on the table, I congratulate him a lot. And I hope that Sarfaraz Khan will go there and play well."
The bigger question now is whether Sarfaraz can go straight into India's XI. Kaif believes he should, although he acknowledged that the team management could favour Jurel because of his existing involvement with the squad.
"If they follow the trend of backing the players who have already been playing for the team, then they might say, 'Jurel has been with us already. He hasn't scored consistently, but we will back him because he has already been part of the team.' If that is the approach, then Sarfaraz will have to wait," Kaif said.
"But if you ask me what the best XI is, Sarfaraz's name comes into my best XI because of his ability to play spin at No. 5 or No. 6. His record against spin is excellent," he added.
Sarfaraz's range of strokes is another reason Kaif sees him as a strong option, particularly if the pitch becomes increasingly difficult to bat on as the Test progresses.
"He also has a wide range of shots. When you get to the fourth or fifth day, batting becomes more difficult, and that is where a player like Sarfaraz Khan can be very useful," he said. "He knows how to use sweeps and reverse sweeps effectively. He can hit over extra cover, he is good off the back foot and he attacks spin."
Kaif also pointed to Jurel's recent form as another re
Sarfaraz was added to India's squad as a replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan and joined the team in Sri Lanka on Monday. His return has also reignited the debate over his prolonged absence from the Test setup, having last played for India against New Zealand in November 2024.
Kaif, while discussing Sarfaraz's comeback on his YouTube channel, questioned why the batter was left out after his initial run in the side. He stressed that poor performance was not the reason for Sarfaraz's exclusion.
"There was a reason he was not allowed to play. Performance was not the reason. There was no reason. That his runs were not getting made, that the bat was not working. He made runs against New Zealand. He came across the field. He was playing well. He was in form. When he scored against England, he had a good start," Kaif said.
Kaif also praised the decision-makers for bringing Sarfaraz back, believing his skill against spin could prove valuable in Sri Lanka.
"Whatever happened in between, he was removed. But now, whoever said that he should come back, I feel that he is thinking for India. India is thinking for cricket. We have to win. We will need good players. We will need good players. We will need good players who play well," Kaif further said.
He added: "So, first of all, whoever has named him on the table, I congratulate him a lot. And I hope that Sarfaraz Khan will go there and play well."
The bigger question now is whether Sarfaraz can go straight into India's XI. Kaif believes he should, although he acknowledged that the team management could favour Jurel because of his existing involvement with the squad.
"If they follow the trend of backing the players who have already been playing for the team, then they might say, 'Jurel has been with us already. He hasn't scored consistently, but we will back him because he has already been part of the team.' If that is the approach, then Sarfaraz will have to wait," Kaif said.
"But if you ask me what the best XI is, Sarfaraz's name comes into my best XI because of his ability to play spin at No. 5 or No. 6. His record against spin is excellent," he added.
Sarfaraz's range of strokes is another reason Kaif sees him as a strong option, particularly if the pitch becomes increasingly difficult to bat on as the Test progresses.
"He also has a wide range of shots. When you get to the fourth or fifth day, batting becomes more difficult, and that is where a player like Sarfaraz Khan can be very useful," he said. "He knows how to use sweeps and reverse sweeps effectively. He can hit over extra cover, he is good off the back foot and he attacks spin."
Kaif also pointed to Jurel's recent form as another re
17 days ago
India pacer Gurnoor Brar produced a late burst with the bat on the second day of the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, hitting four sixes in the final over to finish unbeaten on 36 off 18 ***** .
India were 332 for eight going into the final over of the day, with Devdutt Padikkal unbeaten on 141. Padikkal took a single off the first ball from spinner Dilum Sudeera, giving Brar the strike.
The left-handed Brar then hit two sixes from the next two deliveries. He refused to take a single off the fourth ball, backing himself to continue the attack. He then hit two more sixes off the fifth and sixth deliveries to take India past 350 and end the day on 357 for eight.
Brar hit sixes off the second, third, fifth and sixth ***** of the 90th over. He also struck two fours and added 51 runs from 30 ***** with Padikkal.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen clapping and smiling after Brar's final-over hitting. He also gave the young fast bowler a standing ovation.
Brar has played six ODIs for India since making his international debut against Afghanistan in June 2026.
Padikkal was the main contributor for India on the second day, remaining unbeaten on 142. Ravindra Jadeja scored 63 before retiring out, while Manav Suthar made 41 on his first overseas international ***** ignment.
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, however, could not make the most of the batting conditions.
India ended the second day on 357 for eight in 90 overs, six runs behind Sri Lanka Cricket XI's first-innings total.
#balls
India were 332 for eight going into the final over of the day, with Devdutt Padikkal unbeaten on 141. Padikkal took a single off the first ball from spinner Dilum Sudeera, giving Brar the strike.
The left-handed Brar then hit two sixes from the next two deliveries. He refused to take a single off the fourth ball, backing himself to continue the attack. He then hit two more sixes off the fifth and sixth deliveries to take India past 350 and end the day on 357 for eight.
Brar hit sixes off the second, third, fifth and sixth ***** of the 90th over. He also struck two fours and added 51 runs from 30 ***** with Padikkal.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen clapping and smiling after Brar's final-over hitting. He also gave the young fast bowler a standing ovation.
Brar has played six ODIs for India since making his international debut against Afghanistan in June 2026.
Padikkal was the main contributor for India on the second day, remaining unbeaten on 142. Ravindra Jadeja scored 63 before retiring out, while Manav Suthar made 41 on his first overseas international ***** ignment.
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, however, could not make the most of the batting conditions.
India ended the second day on 357 for eight in 90 overs, six runs behind Sri Lanka Cricket XI's first-innings total.
#balls
22 days ago
NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team after senior pacer Jasprit ******* rah was ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. TimesofIndia.com had earlier reported that the J & K pacer was the frontrunner to replace the 32-year-old in the squad, who has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England.
"The Men's Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as ******* rah's replacement. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team," A BCCI release said.
Nabi claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two first-class matches.
The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19, while the second Test will be held in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
132822556
Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.
*Subject to fitness clearance
#nabi #test #jammu #maiden
"The Men's Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as ******* rah's replacement. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team," A BCCI release said.
Nabi claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two first-class matches.
The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19, while the second Test will be held in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
132822556
Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.
*Subject to fitness clearance
#nabi #test #jammu #maiden
1 month ago
When India begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, the spotlight will not only be on the result but also on the fresh faces hoping to begin their international journeys.
Over the years, tours of Zimbabwe have evolved into India's preferred platform for testing emerging talent in the shortest format. Rather than fielding full-strength squads, the BCCI has consistently used these bilateral series to reward standout domestic and IPL performers with their maiden T20I caps.
The numbers underline that trend. A total of 22 Indian men's cricketers have made their T20I debuts against Zimbabwe, making the African nation one of India's most frequent proving grounds for future stars.
India's tradition of handing out debuts in Zimbabwe dates back to 2010. During the two-match T20I series, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Naman Ojha all made their debuts in the opening game as India secured a comfortable six-wicket win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26, Ashwin impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ojha managed two runs. In the following match, Amit Mishra became the fourth debutant of the series and returned figures of 1/21.
That tour also marked another milestone, with Suresh Raina captaining India in T20Is for the first time.
Five years later, India again arrived in Zimbabwe with a youthful squad. The 2015 series featured first T20I caps for Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma in the opening game, while Sanju Samson debuted in the second T20I.
Although several batters endured modest starts, Axar Patel stood out with an impressive spell of 3/17. Manish Pandey scored 19, Kedar Jadhav made 9, Stuart Binny contributed 11 and Sandeep Sharma went wicketless. Samson scored 19 off 24 ****** in his maiden appearance.
The same tour also witnessed Ajinkya Rahane making his captaincy debut in both ODIs and T20Is.
India continued the trend in 2016, handing opportunities to another crop of newcomers. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal all made their T20I debuts in the opening match. It proved a difficult initiation for several players as Zimbabwe posted 170/6. Unadkat, Dhawan and Chahal all endured expensive spells, while Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mandeep Singh provided one of the few positives with 31 off 27 ****** , although India lost the match by two runs.
The second T20I brought more debutants. Barinder Sran enjoyed a dream start to his international career, producing figures of 4/10, which remain the best bowling figures by an Indian on T20I debut. Dhawal Kulkarni also debuted in that match and claimed 1/32.
India once again used the Zimbabwe tour in 2024 to blood a fresh batch of youngsters. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel made their T20I debuts in the opening match of the five-game series. Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden cap in the second T20I, while Tushar Deshpande made his de
Over the years, tours of Zimbabwe have evolved into India's preferred platform for testing emerging talent in the shortest format. Rather than fielding full-strength squads, the BCCI has consistently used these bilateral series to reward standout domestic and IPL performers with their maiden T20I caps.
The numbers underline that trend. A total of 22 Indian men's cricketers have made their T20I debuts against Zimbabwe, making the African nation one of India's most frequent proving grounds for future stars.
India's tradition of handing out debuts in Zimbabwe dates back to 2010. During the two-match T20I series, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Naman Ojha all made their debuts in the opening game as India secured a comfortable six-wicket win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26, Ashwin impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ojha managed two runs. In the following match, Amit Mishra became the fourth debutant of the series and returned figures of 1/21.
That tour also marked another milestone, with Suresh Raina captaining India in T20Is for the first time.
Five years later, India again arrived in Zimbabwe with a youthful squad. The 2015 series featured first T20I caps for Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma in the opening game, while Sanju Samson debuted in the second T20I.
Although several batters endured modest starts, Axar Patel stood out with an impressive spell of 3/17. Manish Pandey scored 19, Kedar Jadhav made 9, Stuart Binny contributed 11 and Sandeep Sharma went wicketless. Samson scored 19 off 24 ****** in his maiden appearance.
The same tour also witnessed Ajinkya Rahane making his captaincy debut in both ODIs and T20Is.
India continued the trend in 2016, handing opportunities to another crop of newcomers. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal all made their T20I debuts in the opening match. It proved a difficult initiation for several players as Zimbabwe posted 170/6. Unadkat, Dhawan and Chahal all endured expensive spells, while Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mandeep Singh provided one of the few positives with 31 off 27 ****** , although India lost the match by two runs.
The second T20I brought more debutants. Barinder Sran enjoyed a dream start to his international career, producing figures of 4/10, which remain the best bowling figures by an Indian on T20I debut. Dhawal Kulkarni also debuted in that match and claimed 1/32.
India once again used the Zimbabwe tour in 2024 to blood a fresh batch of youngsters. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel made their T20I debuts in the opening match of the five-game series. Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden cap in the second T20I, while Tushar Deshpande made his de
2 months ago
A magnificent 168 from Sai Sudharsan, backed by valuable contributions from the middle and lower order, helped India A seize complete control of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A, finishing Day 3 at 541/8 and extending their lead to 175 runs.
After rain interrupted play for nearly an hour following the tea break, India A still managed to strengthen their grip on the contest, setting themselves up for a strong finish heading into the final day.
Resuming on his overnight score of 104, Sudharsan continued to dominate the Sri Lankan attack with a composed innings of 168 off 267 deliveries, laced with 22 boundaries. His knock came after Devdutt Padikkal narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 94 in the opening over of the day.
India A were reduced to 248/2 early in the morning, but Sudharsan rebuilt the innings alongside captain Dhruv Jurel. The pair stitched together a crucial 120-run stand for the third wicket, ensuring the visitors remained firmly in control.
Sudharsan looked set for a double hundred before left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera trapped him lbw. Jurel soon followed after scoring a well-made 53 off 88 **** , also falling to Sudeera.
India A were briefly concerned when Ruturaj Gaikwad retired hurt after being struck on the helmet by a delivery from pacer Asanka Manoj. The opener managed just 13 runs before walking off the field, and his availability for the final day remains uncertain.
Following the dismissals of Sudharsan and Jurel, Shaik Rasheed played an aggressive knock of 45 from just 51 **** before becoming another lbw victim, this time to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha.
With India A leading by 84 runs at 454/5, the lower order ensured the advantage continued to grow. Saransh Jain remained unbeaten on 68, while Auqib Nabi contributed a useful 30 during an 81-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Although Nabi was dismissed late in the day, caught in the deep off part-time spinner Sahan Arachchige, India A had already built a commanding lead by stumps.
Keshara Nuwantha was Sri Lanka A's most successful bowler with figures of 4/158, while Dilum Sudeera claimed 3/101.
Sri Lanka A: 366 all out
India A: 541/8 in 142 overs (Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53, Saransh Jain 68*; Keshara Nuwantha 4/158, Dilum Sudeera 3/101)
Status: India A lead by 175 runs at stumps on Day 3.
After rain interrupted play for nearly an hour following the tea break, India A still managed to strengthen their grip on the contest, setting themselves up for a strong finish heading into the final day.
Resuming on his overnight score of 104, Sudharsan continued to dominate the Sri Lankan attack with a composed innings of 168 off 267 deliveries, laced with 22 boundaries. His knock came after Devdutt Padikkal narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 94 in the opening over of the day.
India A were reduced to 248/2 early in the morning, but Sudharsan rebuilt the innings alongside captain Dhruv Jurel. The pair stitched together a crucial 120-run stand for the third wicket, ensuring the visitors remained firmly in control.
Sudharsan looked set for a double hundred before left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera trapped him lbw. Jurel soon followed after scoring a well-made 53 off 88 **** , also falling to Sudeera.
India A were briefly concerned when Ruturaj Gaikwad retired hurt after being struck on the helmet by a delivery from pacer Asanka Manoj. The opener managed just 13 runs before walking off the field, and his availability for the final day remains uncertain.
Following the dismissals of Sudharsan and Jurel, Shaik Rasheed played an aggressive knock of 45 from just 51 **** before becoming another lbw victim, this time to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha.
With India A leading by 84 runs at 454/5, the lower order ensured the advantage continued to grow. Saransh Jain remained unbeaten on 68, while Auqib Nabi contributed a useful 30 during an 81-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Although Nabi was dismissed late in the day, caught in the deep off part-time spinner Sahan Arachchige, India A had already built a commanding lead by stumps.
Keshara Nuwantha was Sri Lanka A's most successful bowler with figures of 4/158, while Dilum Sudeera claimed 3/101.
Sri Lanka A: 366 all out
India A: 541/8 in 142 overs (Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53, Saransh Jain 68*; Keshara Nuwantha 4/158, Dilum Sudeera 3/101)
Status: India A lead by 175 runs at stumps on Day 3.
2 months ago
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige scored an unbeaten 83 to guide his team to 288 for 5 at stumps on the opening day of the second unofficial Test against India A in Galle on Thursday.
India A bowlers Yash Thakur and Saransh Jain picked up two wickets each, but Sri Lanka A stayed in control after recovering from a steady start.
Arachchige remained unbeaten on 83 from 148 ******* , hitting nine fours and a six. He also shared a 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara, who made 42 before being bowled by off-spinner Jain.
Thakur finished with figures of 2 for 32 from 14 overs, while Jain returned 2 for 77 from 24 overs. Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar claimed one wicket for 49 runs in 15 overs.
Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, playing his first red-ball match in six years, went wicketless, conceding 64 runs from his 16 overs.
On a slow Galle pitch, wickets were hard to come by. Sri Lanka A openers Pawantha Weerasinghe (39) and Sohan di Livera (28) put together 53 runs for the first wicket.
Thakur provided India A with the breakthrough when Di Livera edged one to Devdutt Padikkal at slip.
Weerasinghe batted through most of the morning session before Brar dismissed him just before lunch. The left-hander edged one behind to captain and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.
Nuwanidu Fernando (44) and Ashen Bandara (34) then added 57 runs for the third wicket to keep Sri Lanka A in a strong position.
Jain broke the stand by having Fernando caught by Padikkal. Thakur then removed Ashen, who edged behind to Jurel.
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi could not trouble the Sri Lanka A openers with the new ball and finished with figures of 0 for 50 from 15 overs.
Brar bowled with more pace and used the short ball effectively but ended with only one wicket.
Ansari had a difficult outing, bowling several loose deliveries that allowed the batters to score freely. His leg-spin did not trouble the Sri Lanka A batters, who capitalised whenever he missed his length.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka A 1st Innings: 288/5 (Sahan Arachchige 83 batting, Nuwanidu Fernando 44, Anjala Bandara 42, Yash Thakur 2/32, Saransh Jain 2/77, Gurnoor Brar 1/49).
India A bowlers Yash Thakur and Saransh Jain picked up two wickets each, but Sri Lanka A stayed in control after recovering from a steady start.
Arachchige remained unbeaten on 83 from 148 ******* , hitting nine fours and a six. He also shared a 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara, who made 42 before being bowled by off-spinner Jain.
Thakur finished with figures of 2 for 32 from 14 overs, while Jain returned 2 for 77 from 24 overs. Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar claimed one wicket for 49 runs in 15 overs.
Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, playing his first red-ball match in six years, went wicketless, conceding 64 runs from his 16 overs.
On a slow Galle pitch, wickets were hard to come by. Sri Lanka A openers Pawantha Weerasinghe (39) and Sohan di Livera (28) put together 53 runs for the first wicket.
Thakur provided India A with the breakthrough when Di Livera edged one to Devdutt Padikkal at slip.
Weerasinghe batted through most of the morning session before Brar dismissed him just before lunch. The left-hander edged one behind to captain and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.
Nuwanidu Fernando (44) and Ashen Bandara (34) then added 57 runs for the third wicket to keep Sri Lanka A in a strong position.
Jain broke the stand by having Fernando caught by Padikkal. Thakur then removed Ashen, who edged behind to Jurel.
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi could not trouble the Sri Lanka A openers with the new ball and finished with figures of 0 for 50 from 15 overs.
Brar bowled with more pace and used the short ball effectively but ended with only one wicket.
Ansari had a difficult outing, bowling several loose deliveries that allowed the batters to score freely. His leg-spin did not trouble the Sri Lanka A batters, who capitalised whenever he missed his length.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka A 1st Innings: 288/5 (Sahan Arachchige 83 batting, Nuwanidu Fernando 44, Anjala Bandara 42, Yash Thakur 2/32, Saransh Jain 2/77, Gurnoor Brar 1/49).
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: India A's tour of Sri Lanka enters its multi-day phase with the start of a two-match unofficial Test series, offering several emerging stars a golden opportunity to strengthen their claims for higher honours in red-ball cricket. Led by wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, India A will take on Sri Lanka A in a pair of matches expected to provide a stern examination of the visitors' long-format credentials.
Pacer Aquib Nabi will be among those eager to make a strong statement when the series begins in Galle on Thursday. Nabi, who claimed 60 wickets during Jammu & Kashmir's historic Ranji Trophy triumph, was overlooked for India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, a decision that sparked debate among fans and experts. Strong performances in Sri Lanka could further strengthen his case for national selection, especially with India scheduled to tour New Zealand later this year, where seam-friendly conditions could suit his style of bowling.
The series also presents a valuable opportunity for several fringe players and established performers. Apart from skipper Jurel, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal will look to bolster their credentials in the race for a top-order berth. Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj, seeking redemption after a difficult Test debut in England last year, and recent ODI debutant Harsh Dubey are also part of the squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Gurnoor Brar add further depth to a side brimming with talent and ambition.
The red-ball **** ignment follows the limited-overs leg of the tour and will serve as an important platform for players pushing for places in India's senior setup. With conditions in Sri Lanka traditionally rewarding spin, patience and discipline, the unofficial Tests are expected to provide a valuable learning experience and a meaningful gauge of the squad's readiness for the next level.
First Unofficial Test
Date: June 25-28, 2026
Venue: Galle International Stadium
Second Unofficial Test
Date: July 2-5, 2026
Venue: Galle International Stadium
Live match start times
Both unofficial Tests are scheduled to begin at: 10:00 AM local time (Sri Lanka)/10:00 AM IST
India A: Dhruv Jurel (captain, wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N. Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, Zeeshan Ansari.
Pacer Aquib Nabi will be among those eager to make a strong statement when the series begins in Galle on Thursday. Nabi, who claimed 60 wickets during Jammu & Kashmir's historic Ranji Trophy triumph, was overlooked for India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, a decision that sparked debate among fans and experts. Strong performances in Sri Lanka could further strengthen his case for national selection, especially with India scheduled to tour New Zealand later this year, where seam-friendly conditions could suit his style of bowling.
The series also presents a valuable opportunity for several fringe players and established performers. Apart from skipper Jurel, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal will look to bolster their credentials in the race for a top-order berth. Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj, seeking redemption after a difficult Test debut in England last year, and recent ODI debutant Harsh Dubey are also part of the squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Gurnoor Brar add further depth to a side brimming with talent and ambition.
The red-ball **** ignment follows the limited-overs leg of the tour and will serve as an important platform for players pushing for places in India's senior setup. With conditions in Sri Lanka traditionally rewarding spin, patience and discipline, the unofficial Tests are expected to provide a valuable learning experience and a meaningful gauge of the squad's readiness for the next level.
First Unofficial Test
Date: June 25-28, 2026
Venue: Galle International Stadium
Second Unofficial Test
Date: July 2-5, 2026
Venue: Galle International Stadium
Live match start times
Both unofficial Tests are scheduled to begin at: 10:00 AM local time (Sri Lanka)/10:00 AM IST
India A: Dhruv Jurel (captain, wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N. Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, Zeeshan Ansari.
