NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has become the third player to be officially sanctioned during the ongoing second Test against India in Colombo, adding another disciplinary flashpoint to a match that had already been marred by the ugly confrontation between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando.

Jayasuriya was on Tuesday handed an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second day's play of the Colombo Test.

The left-arm spinner was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match".

It was Jayasuriya's first offence in a 24-month period, the ICC said.

"Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has become the third player to be sanctioned for an incident during the second ICC World Test Championship contest against India after he was hit with an official reprimand following his dismissal in his side's first innings," the ICC said in a statement.
The incident involving Jayasuriya occurred with the final delivery of the second day's play on Monday.

The Sri Lanka spinner was adjudged leg-before wicket off India spinner Manav Suthar. As he walked back towards the dressing room following his dismissal, Jayasuriya struck the boundary wedges with his bat.

The action led to the charge under Article 2.2, with Jayasuriya subsequently admitting the offence and accepting the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.

As Jayasuriya accepted the sanction, there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella.

The one demerit point has now been added to Jayasuriya's disciplinary record.
Jayasuriya's sanction comes after Jaiswal and Fernando were both punished following their heated exchange on the opening day of the Colombo Test.

The incident took place in the 17th over of India's first innings after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal. The India opener walked towards the Sri Lanka pacer and the two exchanged words before Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal.

Jaiswal then leaned in, resulting in their heads making contact.
133507746
Both players were subsequently fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point each for the altercation.

With Jayasuriya now joining Jaiswal and Fernando on the ICC's disciplinary list, three players have been sanctioned during the same Test.

#lanka

BENGALURU: Some spinners rely on guile and variety, others on subtle change of pace. Abid Mushtaq prefers a simpler route to success— hit the right areas, make batters play and wait for them to commit mistakes.

The Jammu and Kashmir leftarm spinner was at his methodical best against West Zone on Day Two of the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence here on Monday. On a red-soil pitch he described as his "favourite", Abid claimed a five-wicket haul to bowl West out for 187 in 65.4 overs.

North Zone, who secured a 64-run first-innings lead, were 107/4 at stumps, stretching their advantage to 171 runs.

Abid admitted he got "goosebumps" when he saw the red soil, a surface he has only started training on regularly over the last 3-4 three years in J&K. He made the most of the familiarity, producing a spell built on accuracy rather than elaborate variations.

The 29-year-old, who was also invited to bowl in the Australian team's nets ahead of the 2023 BorderGavaskar Trophy in India, kept attacking the stumps and forcing batters to play.

Three of his five wickets — Shivalik Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel — came via LBWs. Gaikwad and Urvil fell within three ****** of each other, leaving West reeling at 70/5 in the 28th over.

"I bowled at the stumps as there was a lot of help on the wicket. I always try to land in good areas and not give away runs. I also use the crease. When it comes to bowling in red soil, I'm confident," Abid said.

His figures of 11-5-13-3 in the first session summed up his approach. He gave the batters little to work with and had already castled Prithvi Shaw on Sunday evening.

Abid, who has taken 63 wickets in his last three Ranji Trophy seasons, kept varying his angle, bowling from both sides of the wicket without compromising on his discipline.

Musheer Khan (31), who showed considerable patience against him, and Shams Mulani (52) briefly stemmed the collapse with a 63-run sixth-wicket partnership. But Abid returned to dismiss Tushar Deshpande (18), completing his five-for.

Anshul Kamboj (2/38) and Arshdeep Singh (3/53) also contributed with the ball as North Zone tightened their grip on the quarterfinal.
At the adjacent ground, Shahbaz Ahmed produced an allround performance to put East Zone firmly in control against North East Zone.

Resuming on 100, the left-hander went on to make 167 as East amassed 467 in 112.5 overs. His innings built on the foundation laid by Sudip Gharami's 146 on the opening day.

Shahbaz then took 3/20 as North East were bowled out for 111, with Abhijit Sarkar returning 5/20.

Forced to follow on, North East reached 7/0 from the only over possible before stumps.

Brief scores: North Zone 251 & 107/4 in 21 overs (Ayush Badoni 39*, Abdul Samad 30; Shams Mulani 2/34, Tanush Kotian 2/22) vs West Zone 187 in 65.4 overs (Shams Mulani 52, Musheer Khan 31; Abid Mushtaq 5/39, Arshdeep Singh 3/53, Anshul Kamboj 2/38).

East Zone 467 in 112.5 overs (Shahbaz A

The India-Sri Lanka series shifts venues for its decider, moving from Galle's spin-friendly track to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, which is a ground known for offering a very different kind of contest.
Batting first has historically paid off at this venue, with teams regularly posting big totals early in matches, which makes Wednesday's toss potentially decisive.
Rain looms as a genuine concern too, with forecasts suggesting interruptions across all five days, while Colombo's heat is expected to sap energy from the bowling attacks. Spin has still had the upper hand recently, as spinners have picked up 45 wickets across the last three Tests here, compared to 35 for the pacers.
India arrive full of confidence following their commanding 165-run win in the series opener. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and Manav Suthar were the standout contributors in Galle. They will fancy their chances of completing a 2-0 sweep, a result that would also strengthen their push toward the 2027 World Test Championship final.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#spin #series

Shoriful Islam became the first left-arm fast bowler in 140 years to take a seven-wicket haul in a Test innings against Australia, producing Bangladesh's standout performance in the second Test in Mackay.

The 25-year-old pacer from Panchagarh returned figures of 7/48 from 15 overs as Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 210 in their first innings at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. Shoriful also top-scored for Bangladesh with 14 runs in their first innings.

Despite his performance, Bangladesh suffered a crushing defeat, with the second Test ending inside two days.

Shoriful's seven-wicket haul put him in a select group of left-arm fast bowlers to have achieved the feat against Australia.

The last left-arm pacer to take seven wickets in a Test innings against Australia was England's **** Barlow, who finished with 7/44 in the second innings of the Manchester Test played from July 5 to 7, 1886.

Barlow had also taken seven wickets against Australia in the Sydney Test in January 1883.

The first left-arm pacer to take seven or more wickets in a Test innings against Australia was England's Tom Emmett. He took 7/68 from 59 overs in the first innings of the Melbourne Test played from January 2 to 4, 1879.

Shoriful is now only the fourth left-arm fast bowler to take a seven-wicket haul in a Test innings against Australia.

The best bowling figures by a left-arm bowler against Australia, however, belong to former England spinner Hedley Verity. He took 8/43 in the second innings of the Lord's Test in 1934, played from June 22 to 25.

The overall best bowling figures against Australia in Test cricket remain with England's Jim Laker, who took all 10 Australian wickets for 53 runs in the second innings of the Manchester Test in July 1956.

#test #australia

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

The India-Sri Lanka series shifts venues for its decider, moving from Galle's spin-friendly track to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, which is a ground known for offering a very different kind of contest.
Batting first has historically paid off at this venue, with teams regularly posting big totals early in matches, which makes Wednesday's toss potentially decisive.
Rain looms as a genuine concern too, with forecasts suggesting interruptions across all five days, while Colombo's heat is expected to sap energy from the bowling attacks. Spin has still had the upper hand recently, as spinners have picked up 45 wickets across the last three Tests here, compared to 35 for the pacers.
India arrive full of confidence following their commanding 165-run win in the series opener. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and Manav Suthar were the standout contributors in Galle. They will fancy their chances of completing a 2-0 sweep, a result that would also strengthen their push toward the 2027 World Test Championship final.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#series #club

The India-Sri Lanka series shifts venues for its decider, moving from Galle's spin-friendly track to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, which is a ground known for offering a very different kind of contest.
Batting first has historically paid off at this venue, with teams regularly posting big totals early in matches, which makes Wednesday's toss potentially decisive.
Rain looms as a genuine concern too, with forecasts suggesting interruptions across all five days, while Colombo's heat is expected to sap energy from the bowling attacks. Spin has still had the upper hand recently, as spinners have picked up 45 wickets across the last three Tests here, compared to 35 for the pacers.
India arrive full of confidence following their commanding 165-run win in the series opener. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and Manav Suthar were the standout contributors in Galle. They will fancy their chances of completing a 2-0 sweep, a result that would also strengthen their push toward the 2027 World Test Championship final.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#spin #lanka

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

Saransh Jain, a 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, finally earned his maiden senior India call-up after more than a decade grinding away in domestic cricket.
An off-spinner who bowls right-arm but bats left-handed, Jain now finds himself alongside established spin options Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar in the squad.
With Washington Sundar ruled out of the opening Test through injury, Jain's inclusion gives India another off-spin option, while his consistent lower-order runs add genuine value to the batting depth.
Jain's most decisive performance arrived just weeks before the squad announcement. He was playing for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle, and he returned with figures of 4 for 92 and 2 for 66 across both innings.
Jain also struck an unbeaten 70 with the bat to help India A register a comprehensive ten-wicket win and a 1-0 series victory. Now, Jain heads back to the same Sri Lankan shores, only this time wearing India's senior Test colours.

#India #ravindra

The India-Sri Lanka series shifts venues for its decider, moving from Galle's spin-friendly track to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, which is a ground known for offering a very different kind of contest.
Batting first has historically paid off at this venue, with teams regularly posting big totals early in matches, which makes Wednesday's toss potentially decisive.
Rain looms as a genuine concern too, with forecasts suggesting interruptions across all five days, while Colombo's heat is expected to sap energy from the bowling attacks. Spin has still had the upper hand recently, as spinners have picked up 45 wickets across the last three Tests here, compared to 35 for the pacers.
India arrive full of confidence following their commanding 165-run win in the series opener. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and Manav Suthar were the standout contributors in Galle. They will fancy their chances of completing a 2-0 sweep, a result that would also strengthen their push toward the 2027 World Test Championship final.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#India #club

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has questioned captain Shubman Gill's use of Kuldeep Yadav in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, saying the spinner's short spells suggested a lack of faith in him.

Kuldeep bowled only 25 overs across India's two innings in the Test and took one wicket, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja bowled around 44 overs each and shared 14 wickets. India won the Test by 165 runs.

Kaif, speaking on his YouTube channel, said Kuldeep is a rare type of bowler and needs the backing of the captain and team management.

"From how he was used, it is clear that Shubman Gill doesn't have enough faith in Kuldeep Yadav. From my point of view, you would not get a unique bowler like Kuldeep that often. They come just once or twice in history. We may get Ravindra Jadeja's replacement in the future, like we have Suthar; then we had Washington Sundar after Ashwin, but Kuldeep is a unique gift."

Kaif also said wrist-spinners need longer spells to settle into a rhythm and work on their mistakes.

"When you give a bowler a spell, especially a wrist-spinner, you need to give him a long spell. The short spells are not helping Kuldeep. Longer spells give you the chance to rectify mistakes. You need time to get into rhythm. Shubman Gill did not back him in that sense," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Kaif backed former India head coach Ravi Shastri's ******* sment that Kuldeep is India's No. 1 spinner in overseas conditions. He said the left-arm wrist-spinner could be particularly important on flatter pitches where there is less ******* istance from the surface.

"I agree with Ravi Shastri, who said that Kuldeep is our No. 1 spinner in overseas conditions. You just need accuracy on turning tracks. You will somehow get a wicket by bowling at the same area. But you won't get such turning tracks in New Zealand. I feel Kuldeep will play a major role on flat pitches or pitches where there would not be much turn on offer. You will have to keep his confidence high as captain and team management," Kaif said.

India's next Test is in Colombo from August 23, and Kaif believes the team could consider handing a debut to Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain.

He pointed to Sri Lanka's left-handed batters Niroshan ******* wella and Sonal Dinusha, who scored runs in the first Test, as a possible reason for India to consider an off-spinner.

"I feel India might be considering playing Saransh Jain in Colombo. The two batters who scored runs, ******* wella and Sonal, are both lefties. There came a time when Shubman Gill was searching for an off-spinner when they were batting. Because of Sri Lanka's in-form lefties, maybe Kuldeep will have to face the axe. It was Suthar vs Saransh earlier; now it will be Kuldeep vs Saransh," he signed off.

Kuldeep, who made his Test debut in 2018, has played 19 Tests and taken 80 wickets at an average of 23.36. He has four four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket h

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons expects Australia to respond strongly in the second Test after his side recorded a nine-wicket win in the series opener in Darwin.

The result was Bangladesh's first Test victory on Australian soil and was described by Australian media as the "Darwin Disaster". Simmons said his players cannot afford to relax when they face the World Test Championship leaders in Mackay from Saturday.

"The only thing I had to say to them - and I will repeat it anyway - is that Australia is going to come harder," Simmons said.

"We have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better. Even if we have to get 1% better in some areas, then we will have to make sure that that's there."

"But we know that they are going to change their game. They are going to come harder at us."

Simmons said the victory in Darwin was among the most satisfying results of his coaching career in Test cricket.

Bangladesh could also retain the same XI for the second Test despite left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam pushing for a return. Shoriful, who has taken 27 wickets in 13 Tests, missed the first Test because of a hamstring injury.

"He offers something different. But again, we just won a test match," Simmons said.

"I'm one ... who hardly likes to change winning teams. So it's a possibility, but I can't really say."

Australia, meanwhile, confirmed one change to their team on Friday. Matt Renshaw will open the batting in place of Jake Weatherald, who was dropped on Tuesday.

Captain Pat ****** mins had also considered playing four pacers by bringing in Scott Boland and leaving out spinner Nathan Lyon, but the final XI was confirmed after training.

Cummins said Australia need to produce a better performance in Mackay.

"I think if we play really well and we lose, you feel like you need to do some soul searching," he told reporters.

"I certainly felt like we didn't play anywhere near our best, and they played really well and they deserved to win. So, I think it's going back to when we play well."

"I think everyone's in a pretty good nick. So it's just about translating our form into actually a good result."

#going #better #really

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has delivered a blunt verdict on Pakistan, describing them as a "poor side" and backing England to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in the three-Test series.

Speaking on The Love for Cricket Podcast, Broad was critical of Pakistan's current Test team and suggested England should be expected to dominate the series.

"They are a poor side, they are not a really good side. You would imagine and you'd think that England should win 3-0. And pretty comfortably," Broad said.

The former England pacer, however, acknowledged that a clean sweep cannot be taken for granted. He added that failing to win the series would represent a major disappointment for the hosts.

"But that isn't guaranteed. But if England don't come out with a Test match series win, it really is a huge failure," Broad said.

His comments came after Pakistan endured a difficult opening two days in the first Test at Headingley in Leeds. Pakistan were bowled out for just 171 on the opening day, with England's bowlers exposing the tourists' batting problems.

England then took firm control with the bat, reaching 366-8 by stumps on Day 2 to secure a 195-run first-innings lead.

Joe Root and Harry Brook were among four England batters to register half-centuries. Root made 66 and shared a 150-run partnership with Jordan ******* , who scored 73, while Dan Lawrence contributed 51 on his return to Test cricket after two years.

Brook, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on a century at his home ground. The world's top-ranked Test batter made 91 after surviving an early scare when he was dropped on one. He was eventually dismissed by Pakistan spinner Ali Usman, who claimed 5-92 for his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

England maintained a brisk scoring rate of 4.46 runs per over, although the approach was less aggressive than the traditional Bazball style ******* ociated with the previous Stokes-McCullum era.

Root also missed an opportunity to add another landmark century to his record. After reaching 66, England's new Test captain was trapped lbw by Khurram Shahzad and wasted a review, with the ball-tracking showing it would have hit the middle stump.

At stumps, Jamie Smith was unbeaten on 16, with Jofra Archer yet to score.

With England already holding a commanding position in the first Test, Broad's prediction of a 3-0 series victory will only add to the pressure on Pakistan as the visitors look to fight their way back into the contest.
133395898

#england #first #root #side

'Prove them wrong!': Ramiz Raja gives emotional war cry to Pakistan after Michael Vaughan's humiliating 'weakest team' jibe originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
England dominated Day 2 at Headingley, closing on 366/8 for a commanding 195-run first-innings lead over Pakistan.
Ramiz Raja urged Pakistan to fight back after Michael Vaughan called them the "weakest team" to tour England.
Harry Brook fell agonisingly short of a century, dismissed for 91 by debutant spinner Ali Usman's five-wicket haul.
Ramiz Raja has issued an impassioned rallying cry to the Pakistan cricket team, urging them to hit back with a fight after Michael Vaughan handed a brutal ****** sment of the tourists.

#Pakistan #ramiz #michael #vaughan

India's crushing victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle unearthed two potential long-term ****** ets in different departments — left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and batter Devdutt Padikkal.

Suthar, in particular, looks every bit a Test star in the making. In just two Tests, the 24-year-old has claimed 17 wickets at an average of 11.35, including two five-wicket hauls and his maiden 10-wicket match haul. In Galle, he showcased the classical virtues of left-arm spin, extracting loop, drift, turn and bounce.

Padikkal, meanwhile, grabbed his opportunity with both hands. Playing his first Test in 19 months after replacing the injured Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, the stylish left-hander marked his return with a majestic 167, the standout innings of the match, followed by a useful 44 in the second innings. Comfortable against spin on both the front and back foot, Padikkal has strengthened his case to retain the No. 3 slot.

Suthar made an impact from his very first ball, trapping Dinesh Chandimal with a beauty that pitched, bounced and turned away before finding the edge to Rishabh Pant. On the final day, he wrapped up Sri Lanka's tail with smart variations in pace and an effective straighter delivery.

Former India left-arm spinner and selector Venkatapathy Raju believes familiarity with subcontinental conditions and a recent county stint with Warwickshire have played a key role in Suthar's rapid rise. The youngster took 11 wickets in two county matches, including a maiden five-for against Somerset.

"I was very impressed by Suthar's attitude. He has a high-arm action, bowls close to the wicket and possesses the aggression needed to succeed as a left-arm spinner. Playing his first two Tests in familiar conditions has helped, while county cricket gave him valuable red-ball experience," Raju told TOI.

"This will do wonders for his confidence. He can bowl long spells, challenge both right-handers and left-handers and has shown all the signs of becoming a very good bowler."

India vice-captain KL Rahul credited Suthar's accuracy, subtle changes in pace and ability to exploit drift for making him such a potent threat.

"It's the subtle variations from the same action and angle. He can bowl slower or quicker without changing his arm speed. In Galle, he used the wind beautifully to get drift before the ball either straightened or came back in," Rahul said.

Rahul also praised Suthar's consistency in hitting the right areas.

"His greatest strength is his pace through the air and his ability to challenge every mode of dismissal. The line he bowls brings LBW into play, while any turn can produce catches behind. That's a special skill."

The vice-captain was equally effusive about Padikkal, with whom he shared a 150-run partnership in the first innings.

"That innings defined the Test," Rahul said. "The tempo he batted at and the fact that he converted it into a big hundred really set the game up for us. The conditions were physic

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

Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up about the criticism he faced early in his international career, recalling how a strongly worded ***** sment from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar left him angry and hurt after a difficult tour of Australia. Ashwin's struggles came during India's 2011-12 tour of Australia, where he managed only nine wickets in three Tests at an average of 62. India suffered a 0-4 series defeat.

Reflecting on the experience, Ashwin said Manjrekar's column initially left him deeply disappointed.

"After my first Australia tour, Sanjay Manjrekar wrote a long article. When I was returning, I read the whole thing, and after reading it, I got really angry. I actually felt bad. Anger was just a reaction, but I felt really bad. But after that, I slept on the flight and let it go. Back then, I didn't talk to Sanjay much," Ashwin said on Jio Hotstar.
Rather than allowing the criticism to affect him, Ashwin eventually chose to look at Manjrekar's comments objectively and identify areas where he could improve. The off-spinner said he worked extensively on his bowling and fitness over the next few years.

"...after coming back home, I worked really hard for the next four years. I wasn't a gifted athlete. I worked very hard, and in 2015, he wrote another article saying that I was bowling so well now and that he wanted me to keep performing like that, " Ashwin added.
Ashwin eventually got Manjrekar's number and sent him a message explaining how he had initially felt about the criticism.

"Then I asked for his number and messaged him that I had felt bad back then, but his article came to me like a guru and changed my life. Because there was substance in what he said. So, if I ever get criticised, I just think about whether there's something to learn from it. If I feel there's something to learn, I take it, " he concluded.
Ashwin went on to establish himself as one of India's greatest match-winners, finishing his international career with 765 wickets and 4,394 runs across 287 matches. He retired from international cricket on December 18, 2024, and finished as India's second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket, behind Anil ***** ble.

#ashwin #australia #tour #really

Charlie Dean will lead England for their one-day international series against Ireland in September, with regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt among a number of senior players rested.
Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell and Amy Jones will also miss the three-match series while Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt are absent as they manage their fitness and recovery.
England have named two uncapped players, seam bowler Grace Potts, 24, and wicketkeeper Kira Chathli, 27, in the 15-strong squad, while all-rounder Charis Pavely could make her 50-over debut having two T20s against Ireland in 2024.
Pace bowler Ryana MacDonald-Gay is included, having last played for England in the Ashes in early 2025, while 18-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker in this season's Hundred, is also selected.
Spin bowler Dean stood-in for Sciver-Brunt earlier this summer in 50 and 20-over campaigns against New Zealand and a T20 series against India, winning all three.

#sciver #series #dean #players

Notebook celebration is back: Digvesh Rathi brings back viral celebration after taking wicket in DPL 2026 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Digvesh Rathi has revived his viral notebook celebration in the Delhi Premier League 2026.
The send-off earned him repeated fines and a one-match ban during IPL 2025.
Critics have again questioned the provocative manner of the celebration.
Few celebrations in recent Indian cricket have generated as much noise as Digvesh Rathi's notebook routine, and the mystery spinner has brought it back to the very competition that made him a household name. The Delhi Premier League has once again become the stage for the gesture that cost him heavily in the IPL.

#back #premier

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

Manchester Super Giants clinched their maiden men's ******* le while Trent Rockets Women lifted their first-ever trophy as The Hundred's sixth season reached a dramatic conclusion at Lord's. The Hundred's sixth season signed off in style at Lord's, with Manchester Super Giants and Trent Rockets sharing the spotlight on a Finals Day that produced two contrasting ******* le deciders.

Manchester Super Giants, formerly known as Manchester Originals, survived a late collapse to defeat Trent Rockets by five wickets in the men's final, while Trent Rockets Women produced a ruthless display to crush Sunrisers Leeds by eight wickets and claim their maiden ******* le.

The Trent Rockets also walked away with an additional prize, winning the inaugural Helix trophy for the best combined franchise performance across the men's and women's competitions.
The men's final looked to be slipping away from Manchester Super Giants before Tim Seifert intervened with a breathtaking ******* ault. Trent Rockets posted 158 for 8 from their 100 ******* , with Aneurin Donald leading the recovery with a rapid 38 off 19 ******* , while captain Lewis Gregory contributed 32 from 19.

The Rockets had made a steady start through Ben Duckett, but their momentum was checked by a double blow. Spinner Noor Ahmad was involved in the dismissal of captain Sam Billings before removing Tim David for a duck, leaving Manchester with an opening to seize control.

Donald and Gregory then rebuilt the innings with aggressive strokeplay, pushing Trent towards a competitive total of 158. Manchester's response began with a clear intent to attack.

Seifert turned the chase into a spectacle, smashing 72 off just 38 ******* , including seven sixes. His calculated aggression kept Manchester ahead of the required rate and put the Rockets under immense pressure. Paul Walter provided valuable support, adding 22 off 14 ******* , with the pair putting together a blistering 66-run stand from only 31 ******* .

But just when Manchester appeared certain to cruise home, the final overs produced a dramatic twist. Mohammad Amir dragged the Super Giants back into the contest with a superb spell, conceding just 29 runs and helping create six consecutive dot ******* . Heinrich Klaasen and Michael Bracewell also departed as the pressure suddenly mounted.

With Manchester needing a boundary to settle the nerves, Liam Dawson delivered. He launched a towering six over deep midwicket with just two ******* remaining, taking Manchester Super Giants to 162 for 5 after 98 ******* and sealing their first men's ******* le.

Noor Ahmad finished with three wickets for Manchester, while Amir claimed three for Trent Rockets, but it was Seifert's extraordinary innings that ultimately defined the final.
If the men's final went down to the wire, the women's contest was almost the complete opposite. Trent Rockets Women dismantled Sunrisers Leeds, formerly Northern Superchargers, to secure a commanding eight-wicket

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

R Ashwin praises Bangladesh for historic win over Australia in Darwin, reignites 'designated Test centres' debate originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ashwin praised Bangladesh for their historic nine-wicket win over Australia in Darwin.
He used the result to reignite the debate around designated Test centres.
Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil.
Former India off-spinner R. Ashwin has hailed Bangladesh's stunning victory over Australia in Darwin while using the result to press one of his long-held views on Test cricket. The retired all-rounder saw in the upset a wider lesson about how the format could be structured.

#historic #designated

Devdutt Padikkal marked his return to Test cricket in style, scoring his maiden century in the format during India's first innings of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka.

The Karnataka left-hander produced a composed yet attacking knock, handling the challenging conditions with maturity and putting pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Padikkal was particularly effective against spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha, combining caution with well-timed aggression.

The 26-year-old came into the Test on the back of a century against SLC XI in the warm-up game and continued his strong run of form when it mattered most.

Padikkal may have found it difficult to break into India's playing XI had Sai Sudharsan been fit and available for the series. However, his century has strengthened his case for a continued run at No.3.

Speaking after the close of play on Day 1, Padikkal revealed that determination was key to getting through a physically demanding innings in Galle, where the heat and humidity took a toll.

"In this knock, determination for me was playing through that tiredness and fatigue that I was feeling, especially towards the third session. I think it was getting really hot, and we were losing a lot of fluid. We were sweating all the time. So it was really important that I was determined enough to keep going and keep pushing forward," Padikkal said in a video shared by BCCI.

The batter also stressed the importance of maintaining concentration on a surface that did not make batting easy.

"It wasn't the easiest of wickets to bat on. I think we had to make sure that we didn't play too many last shots. We had to make sure that we kept our minds in the game as long as possible because, like I said, again, when you get tired, it's easy to lose that discipline, and I think as a team we did that well today," he added.

Padikkal shared a 150-run partnership with KL Rahul before Rahul retired hurt on 77 after suffering from cramps. For Padikkal, the century was particularly significant as he had not played a Test for India since 2024 and had waited almost two years for another opportunity.

His return to the side came after a prolific run across domestic cricket and the IPL. Strong performances in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, along with his IPL form, helped him force his way back into the reckoning.

Padikkal admitted that the long wait had tested his patience but also gave him time to improve his game.

"Patience for me, I think it was more to do with what I've gone through before this game. I think my last Test was in 2024. So it's been a long time coming, and I've had to patiently wait, look on from the outside. It's never easy. But at the same time, it gave me time to really work on my game and perfect things that needed perfecting. And I'm really glad that all that hard work came to effect today. It feels great," said Padikkal.

The left-hander also revealed that he felt nervous as he approached the thr

Devdutt Padikkal made a strong statement in India's first Test against Sri Lanka, dominating the opening day in Galle and strengthening his case for a permanent place at No. 3. Drafted into the playing XI after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with an injury, Padikkal produced a magnificent unbeaten 131 on Day 1. He looked completely at ease against Sri Lanka's spinners and helped India finish the rain-curtailed opening day on 288/2 after 73 overs.

His performance has now earned high praise from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who believes Padikkal's ability against spin makes him an ideal No. 3 option for India even after Sudharsan returns.
While Padikkal was compiling his century, Manjrekar took to X to highlight the batter's impressive technique against spin.

"Devdutt Padikkal god sent for India v spinners. Excellent technique, both in defence & attack."
Manjrekar later elaborated on Padikkal's strengths during a discussion on Sony Sports, pointing to his ability to combine defence, strike rotation and attacking strokes against spin.

"Devdutt Padikkal was the big change that India had, I really think selection is so good that when you see Padikkal walk in and play spin so comfortably, because he's good in defense against spin, he's good at picking 1s and 2s when the field is slightly deep, and then he's also good at playing attacking shots, and that too off the back foot on slow, turning pitches, " Manjrekar said.
Padikkal repeatedly used the depth of the crease to negate Sri Lanka's spinners while also stepping out whenever the bowlers offered him an opportunity. One of the standout moments came when he charged Prabath Jayasuriya and lofted the left-arm spinner over long-on for a six.

For Manjrekar, however, it was Padikkal's ability to score off the back foot on a slow, turning surface that particularly impressed him.

"That's something remarkable. On slow, turning pitches, to hit shots off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot tells you that it's somebody who wants to get onto the back foot, and the best way to play spin on a slow, turning pitch is to play the majority of the bowling off the back foot, " he added.

"Along with that, he's also got this knack of going down the pitch and hitting the ball over the sight screen. So on pitches where there is going to be an emphasis on spin, India should bat him at number 3 even if Sai Sudharsan comes back, because he looks such a formidable player against spin, I think it was godsent for India, Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 with the kind of spin talent he has," Manjrekar said.
Padikkal was handed the No. 3 role following Sudharsan's injury and responded with a career-defining performance. His unbeaten 131 also made him the first Indian batter to score a Test century on Independence Day, while he became only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to score an international century on August 15.

#devdutt #good

KL Rahul's condition after retiring hurt on the opening day of India's first Test against Sri Lanka is not a major concern, with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak saying the senior batter is "fine now" after suffering cramps.

Rahul scored a patient 77 off 162 ******* before leaving the field during the final session. He had formed a crucial 150-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, helping India take control of the contest.

"KL batted really well, was getting cramps everywhere. fine now," Kotak told reporters after the day's play.
The biggest highlight of India's batting effort was Padikkal's unbeaten 131, his maiden international century. Returning to Test cricket after last playing against Australia in Perth in 2024, the Karnataka batter looked confident and composed throughout his innings.

Kotak praised the work Padikkal has put in over the past two years and also highlighted Sai Sudharsan's progress.

"Credit to Devdutt Padikkal for preparing & working hard in last 2 years. Both he, Sai are batting well. They are new ball batter," he added.

Padikkal reached his hundred from 134 ******* and struck a variety of shots against Sri Lanka's pace and spin attack. He was particularly effective against left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, using sweeps, punches and attacking shots to keep the bowlers under pressure.

"[To me] its important how they bat in different phases," Kotak said, underlining the importance of adapting to changing conditions during an innings.
India ended the day at 288 for two, with Padikkal unbeaten on 131 and Rishabh Pant on 27. Shubman Gill made a valuable contribution before being dismissed by Jayasuriya.

Rahul's departure was the only concern for India, although Kotak's update should ease worries about the batter's condition. Padikkal also battled dehydration late in the humid day but continued his innings.

With India firmly in control after the opening day, attention will now turn to whether Rahul is fit to return and how Padikkal and Pant build on the strong platform.
133264997

#test

Timesofindia.com in Galle: Quick single, a punch in the air followed by a jubilant jump before unleashing another punch. The helmet came off in a flash, and his arms spread wide to acknowledge the applause from the dressing room and the spectators braving the heat on the grass banks. It was a memorable moment for Devdutt Padikkal, who notched up his maiden Test hundred, and it couldn't have come at a better time, both for him and the country.

Playing a Test for the country after 632 days, he walked into bat after a moment of chaos between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who were involved in a terrible mix-up, but took the mantle seamlessly from the opener. Devdutt got off the mark with a boundary, danced down the track to launch Prabath Jayasuriya for a maximum early in the innings and showcased excellent footwork against both spin and pace. There wasn't much happening off the surface in the first session, but the odd delivery did surprise the batters, mostly because of the drift caused by the crosswinds.

Off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, introduced in the ninth over on his debut, got one to drift in and hold its line after pitching, but the bounce saved Devdutt, who wore a look of disbelief. No one expected that kind of ***** istance from the surface that early in the contest, and the remainder of the day showed that what happened in the 13th over was an anomaly. Except for the occasional delivery with more drift than usual, there wasn't much turn on offer, and Devdutt remained very busy and breezy in his approach, outscoring his senior partner, Rahul, with ease.

Like the spinners, pacers Lahiru ***** ara and Asitha Fernando also found little ***** istance. The two had their moments, but their effort wasn't consistent enough to challenge the visitors in the beautiful batting conditions. After the first rain break, Asitha bowled a testing spell to both Rahul and Devdutt, but both were seasoned enough to navigate the period, when moisture might have seeped into the surface because of the strong shower, and then feasted on some ordinary bowling.
While Rahul was happy to switch to blockathon mode, Devdutt kept the board moving at a fair clip. The Karnataka batters, who spend a lot of time off the field bonding over their mutual love for coffee, complemented each other really well. Rahul, who unfortunately retired hurt due to cramps, enjoys batting with Devdutt as the left-hander's positive approach allows him to switch to zen mode.

Devdutt remained in the driving seat of the 150-run stand, which put India in a dominant position on the opening day, maximizing the crucial toss Shubman Gill had won earlier. With the pitch expected to deteriorate in the coming days, India's best shot at winning the Test is to bat once and bat big, and both Devdutt and Rahul laid a solid foundation for that.

A couple of weeks ago, Devdutt was nowhere close to the playing XI, but an ill-timed injury to Sai Sudharsan opened up the No. 3 slot. The management, not

Josh Hazlewood made a strong return to Test cricket after more than a year, taking six wickets in Australia's first innings against Bangladesh in Darwin. He bowled 28 overs and conceded 89 runs, taking two wickets on Day 2 before claiming four more on Saturday.

The performance took Hazlewood's Test wicket tally to 301, making him only the ninth Australian bowler to reach the 300-wicket mark.
Hazlewood also created history by becoming the first Australian fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in international cricket.

Before his 6/89, Ian Harvey held the best figures by an Australian pacer against Bangladesh. Harvey took 4/16 in an ODI at Darwin in 2003. Hazlewood's effort has now moved ahead of that mark.

However, the overall best bowling performance by an Australian against Bangladesh still belongs to spinner Stuart MacGill, who took 8/108 in a Test at Fatullah in 2006. Nathan Lyon has also recorded three five-wicket hauls against Bangladesh, while Shane Warne has two.
Hazlewood's six-wicket haul also places him among the leading fast bowlers to perform against Bangladesh in Tests. New Zealand's Chris Cairns remains at the top with 7/53, while India's Zaheer Khan also took seven wickets in a Test innings against Bangladesh.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc also claimed two wickets in the ongoing Test, taking his career total to 435 Test wickets. He is now the 11th-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Hazlewood's return has therefore been significant not only for Australia's ongoing Test but also for his place in the country's bowling history.

#wicket #Cricket #taking #darwin

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have announced a 16-member squad for the opening Test of their two-match series against India, with veteran wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan ******* wella making his return to the Test side.

Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the team, while Kamindu Mendis has been named his deputy. ******* wella has been included as the wicketkeeper after Kusal Mendis was ruled out of the first Test with an injury.

Batter Pathum Nissanka has also been left out of the squad for the opening match.

Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha make up the rest of Sri Lanka's batting options.

The hosts have three specialist spinners in Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha. Their pace department includes Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru ******* ara, Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.

The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19. The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

India, led by Shubman Gill, are currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings. They have recorded four wins and four losses in nine matches, with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150.

Sri Lanka are sixth in the standings, having registered one win, one draw and two defeats.

With home conditions expected to play a role in the series, Sri Lanka will look to their experienced players, including Chandimal and the returning ******* wella, as they prepare to take on India's Test side.

Sri Lanka squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis (vc), Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan ******* wella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru ******* ara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

#fernando

R Ashwin names ODI World Cup-winning captain as surprise choice for next CSK head coach originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
R Ashwin has named Eoin Morgan as a surprise contender for the CSK head coach role.
Morgan captained England to their maiden ODI World Cup **** le in 2019.
CSK are searching for a successor to Stephen Fleming ahead of IPL 2027.
Chennai Super Kings' search for a new head coach has thrown up its most unexpected name yet, with R Ashwin suggesting England's 2019 ODI World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan could be in the frame. The former India spinner floated the idea while discussing the franchise's coaching vacancy.

#ashwin #head #coach #captain