17 days ago
India's World Test Championship hopes have taken a hit after the Colombo Test ended in a draw, with former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth warning that the missed opportunity could have serious consequences for their qualification campaign.
India appeared well placed to complete a 2-0 series sweep after taking control of the second Test. Sri Lanka began the final day with six wickets down, leaving India needing only four more wickets to seal victory.
Instead, the visitors could manage just two wickets as Sonal Dinusha produced a stunning unbeaten century to frustrate India. The Sri Lankan batter remained unbeaten on 133 and stitched together vital partnerships with the lower order, helping the hosts survive and force a draw after following on.
The result meant India had to settle for a 1-0 series victory rather than the 2-0 sweep that had looked within reach.
The dropped opportunity in Colombo could prove significant in the race for the WTC Final. India remain fifth in the standings, with Sri Lanka sixth, and now have very little room for error across their remaining seven Tests.
According to Srikkanth, India may need an almost perfect run from here to stay in control of their qualification hopes.
"This draw will make it difficult for India to qualify for the WTC final. Even if India wins five or six of the last seven matches, they'll have to depend on other results. It's questionable if India can beat Australia 5-0 at home. If we give rank turners in that series, Australia can also beat India," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
India have seven Tests left in their WTC campaign and need to win at least six of them to control their own destiny.
A major challenge will come when Australia travel to India. Srikkanth cautioned against ****** uming that home conditions will guarantee results, particularly if India prepare heavily turning pitches.
Srikkanth was particularly critical of India's failure to close out the Colombo Test after creating a strong position.
He also highlighted Dinusha's contribution, with the Sri Lankan batter producing twin centuries at the Sinhalese Sports Club and playing a decisive role in keeping his team alive on the final day.
"India messed up big time. Sonal Dinusha was amazing throughout the series. This is where you miss a bowler like ****** rah. You need a finishing bowler like him. Though rain helped Sri Lanka a bit, India should have won the match hands down," said Srikkanth.
Dinusha's unbeaten 133 proved crucial as Sri Lanka survived India's late push and secured a draw, leaving the visitors with a 1-0 series win but also a potentially costly setback in their WTC campaign.
#India #lanka #final #draw
India appeared well placed to complete a 2-0 series sweep after taking control of the second Test. Sri Lanka began the final day with six wickets down, leaving India needing only four more wickets to seal victory.
Instead, the visitors could manage just two wickets as Sonal Dinusha produced a stunning unbeaten century to frustrate India. The Sri Lankan batter remained unbeaten on 133 and stitched together vital partnerships with the lower order, helping the hosts survive and force a draw after following on.
The result meant India had to settle for a 1-0 series victory rather than the 2-0 sweep that had looked within reach.
The dropped opportunity in Colombo could prove significant in the race for the WTC Final. India remain fifth in the standings, with Sri Lanka sixth, and now have very little room for error across their remaining seven Tests.
According to Srikkanth, India may need an almost perfect run from here to stay in control of their qualification hopes.
"This draw will make it difficult for India to qualify for the WTC final. Even if India wins five or six of the last seven matches, they'll have to depend on other results. It's questionable if India can beat Australia 5-0 at home. If we give rank turners in that series, Australia can also beat India," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
India have seven Tests left in their WTC campaign and need to win at least six of them to control their own destiny.
A major challenge will come when Australia travel to India. Srikkanth cautioned against ****** uming that home conditions will guarantee results, particularly if India prepare heavily turning pitches.
Srikkanth was particularly critical of India's failure to close out the Colombo Test after creating a strong position.
He also highlighted Dinusha's contribution, with the Sri Lankan batter producing twin centuries at the Sinhalese Sports Club and playing a decisive role in keeping his team alive on the final day.
"India messed up big time. Sonal Dinusha was amazing throughout the series. This is where you miss a bowler like ****** rah. You need a finishing bowler like him. Though rain helped Sri Lanka a bit, India should have won the match hands down," said Srikkanth.
Dinusha's unbeaten 133 proved crucial as Sri Lanka survived India's late push and secured a draw, leaving the visitors with a 1-0 series win but also a potentially costly setback in their WTC campaign.
#India #lanka #final #draw
24 days ago
'Gambhir has no work': Kris Srikkanth slams India coach over handling of Devdutt Padikkal in Indian team originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kris Srikkanth has criticised Gautam Gambhir over talk of replacing Devdutt Padikkal.
Padikkal scored 167 in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.
Srikkanth also expects Kuldeep Yadav to be dropped for the second Test.
Devdutt Padikkal answered every question asked of him in Galle, and Kris Srikkanth cannot understand why any further questions are being asked at all. The former India captain has aimed Gautam Gambhir over suggestions that the left-hander's place remains up for discussion.
#kris #India #Cricket #test
Kris Srikkanth has criticised Gautam Gambhir over talk of replacing Devdutt Padikkal.
Padikkal scored 167 in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.
Srikkanth also expects Kuldeep Yadav to be dropped for the second Test.
Devdutt Padikkal answered every question asked of him in Galle, and Kris Srikkanth cannot understand why any further questions are being asked at all. The former India captain has aimed Gautam Gambhir over suggestions that the left-hander's place remains up for discussion.
#kris #India #Cricket #test
29 days ago
Chennai Super Kings are preparing for a significant transition after the end of Stephen Fleming's 18-year ***** ociation with the franchise, and former India opener K Srikkanth believes Michael Hussey could be the ideal man to take the team forward. Fleming's departure has left CSK searching for a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades. The former New Zealand captain joined the franchise as a player in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 before taking over as head coach in 2009.
Over the next 17 years, Fleming became one of the central figures behind CSK's identity, guiding the franchise to five IPL ***** les and two Champions League T20 trophies. His exit comes after CSK missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Fleming has since taken up a new challenge, being appointed England's Test head coach, replacing Brendon McCullum.
As speculation grows over Fleming's successor, former India and CSK player Ravichandran Ashwin recently suggested that former England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan could be among the names in contention. Srikkanth, however, has firmly rejected that possibility.
"I won't go for Eoin Morgan for sure. He was a good player and a good captain for England. But as a coach, I won't accept him as an option. Even for KKR as their captain, he didn't do anything great. It'll be best if he just sticks to commentary," said Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel.
He also advised CSK against considering Brendon McCullum, who previously coached Kolkata Knight Riders and guided them to the IPL final in 2021.
"It'll be good for CSK if they don't appoint Brendon McCullum as the head coach. They should say no to both Morgan and McCullum," he added.
Instead, Srikkanth believes CSK already have a familiar figure within their ecosystem who could seamlessly step into the role. His choice is former CSK opener Michael Hussey, who has previously worked with the franchise as a batting coach.
"CSK don't need anyone from outside when they have Mr Cricket with him. Michael Hussey should be the automatic head coach. He will be the best choice," Srikkanth said.
The coaching vacancy is only one part of a much bigger transition facing CSK. The franchise's most successful era was built around the close partnership between Fleming and MS Dhoni, with the duo forming the tactical and cultural backbone of the team for years.
Dhoni's future is another major question for the franchise, particularly as CSK look to build around captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and a younger core. Srikkanth himself believes that issue needs to be settled before the franchise can properly determine its next coaching structure.
"But what will MS Dhoni's place in CSK be going forward? That arrangement has to be fixed first, and only then will everything else fall in place," he said.
That could prove to be the most important decision of CSK's transition.
#coach #franchise #fleming
Over the next 17 years, Fleming became one of the central figures behind CSK's identity, guiding the franchise to five IPL ***** les and two Champions League T20 trophies. His exit comes after CSK missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Fleming has since taken up a new challenge, being appointed England's Test head coach, replacing Brendon McCullum.
As speculation grows over Fleming's successor, former India and CSK player Ravichandran Ashwin recently suggested that former England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan could be among the names in contention. Srikkanth, however, has firmly rejected that possibility.
"I won't go for Eoin Morgan for sure. He was a good player and a good captain for England. But as a coach, I won't accept him as an option. Even for KKR as their captain, he didn't do anything great. It'll be best if he just sticks to commentary," said Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel.
He also advised CSK against considering Brendon McCullum, who previously coached Kolkata Knight Riders and guided them to the IPL final in 2021.
"It'll be good for CSK if they don't appoint Brendon McCullum as the head coach. They should say no to both Morgan and McCullum," he added.
Instead, Srikkanth believes CSK already have a familiar figure within their ecosystem who could seamlessly step into the role. His choice is former CSK opener Michael Hussey, who has previously worked with the franchise as a batting coach.
"CSK don't need anyone from outside when they have Mr Cricket with him. Michael Hussey should be the automatic head coach. He will be the best choice," Srikkanth said.
The coaching vacancy is only one part of a much bigger transition facing CSK. The franchise's most successful era was built around the close partnership between Fleming and MS Dhoni, with the duo forming the tactical and cultural backbone of the team for years.
Dhoni's future is another major question for the franchise, particularly as CSK look to build around captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and a younger core. Srikkanth himself believes that issue needs to be settled before the franchise can properly determine its next coaching structure.
"But what will MS Dhoni's place in CSK be going forward? That arrangement has to be fixed first, and only then will everything else fall in place," he said.
That could prove to be the most important decision of CSK's transition.
#coach #franchise #fleming
2 months ago
Abhishek Sharma's struggles in T20Is have come under renewed focus following another disappointing series against Zimbabwe, with former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth calling on the selectors to make a difficult decision if the opener's poor run continues.
The left-handed batter endured a forgettable three-match series, failing to register a double-digit score. His recent numbers have also become a concern, with Abhishek unable to cross 20 in each of his last six T20I innings. Since India's T20 World Cup triumph, he has managed just one half-century, putting his place in the side under the scanner as competition for the opening spot continues to grow.
The debate has intensified further after Sanju Samson, India's Player of the Tournament during the T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was left out of the Zimbabwe series despite his impressive performances. With several opening options available, Abhishek's extended lean spell has only added to the pressure on the ICC's former top-ranked T20I batter.
Reacting to the opener's dip in form, Srikkanth said rival teams have worked out a way to contain Abhishek and believes the selection panel may soon have to make a bold call. He also expressed confidence that Samson would return to the Indian setup.
"Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out (by opponents) in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
While Abhishek's form emerged as a talking point, India also found plenty to celebrate through the return of Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler made his comeback after a lengthy injury break, featuring in his first international match since October 2024.
Mayank made an immediate impact by claiming two wickets in the opening T20I before ending the series with a three-wicket haul in the final game. Bowling with genuine pace throughout the tour, he consistently troubled Zimbabwe's batting line-up and looked close to his best.
Srikkanth was delighted to see the pacer complete all three matches without any fitness concerns and urged the team management to continue investing in young talent.
132677455
"It was good to see Mayank Yadav playing all three games. So happy for him. Look at how consistent this boy was. The Indian future is very good. You have to back the right youngsters. I don't mind Ashok Sharma either," he said.
#three #World
The left-handed batter endured a forgettable three-match series, failing to register a double-digit score. His recent numbers have also become a concern, with Abhishek unable to cross 20 in each of his last six T20I innings. Since India's T20 World Cup triumph, he has managed just one half-century, putting his place in the side under the scanner as competition for the opening spot continues to grow.
The debate has intensified further after Sanju Samson, India's Player of the Tournament during the T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was left out of the Zimbabwe series despite his impressive performances. With several opening options available, Abhishek's extended lean spell has only added to the pressure on the ICC's former top-ranked T20I batter.
Reacting to the opener's dip in form, Srikkanth said rival teams have worked out a way to contain Abhishek and believes the selection panel may soon have to make a bold call. He also expressed confidence that Samson would return to the Indian setup.
"Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out (by opponents) in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
While Abhishek's form emerged as a talking point, India also found plenty to celebrate through the return of Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler made his comeback after a lengthy injury break, featuring in his first international match since October 2024.
Mayank made an immediate impact by claiming two wickets in the opening T20I before ending the series with a three-wicket haul in the final game. Bowling with genuine pace throughout the tour, he consistently troubled Zimbabwe's batting line-up and looked close to his best.
Srikkanth was delighted to see the pacer complete all three matches without any fitness concerns and urged the team management to continue investing in young talent.
132677455
"It was good to see Mayank Yadav playing all three games. So happy for him. Look at how consistent this boy was. The Indian future is very good. You have to back the right youngsters. I don't mind Ashok Sharma either," he said.
#three #World
2 months ago
'Abhishek Sharma sorted out': Kris Srikkanth believes Sanju Samson will return to India T20I side originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kris Srikkanth predicts Sanju Samson's recall after Abhishek Sharma's poor form.
Abhishek fails to cross 20 in six straight T20I innings.
Mayank Yadav impresses on his comeback, earns Srikkanth's praise.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has predicted that Sanju Samson will soon find his way back into India's T20I setup, and argued that Abhishek Sharma's extended struggles have left selectors with little choice but to make a difficult call regarding his place in the side.
#srikkanth #samson #sharma
Kris Srikkanth predicts Sanju Samson's recall after Abhishek Sharma's poor form.
Abhishek fails to cross 20 in six straight T20I innings.
Mayank Yadav impresses on his comeback, earns Srikkanth's praise.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has predicted that Sanju Samson will soon find his way back into India's T20I setup, and argued that Abhishek Sharma's extended struggles have left selectors with little choice but to make a difficult call regarding his place in the side.
#srikkanth #samson #sharma
2 months ago
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion during India's first T20I against Zimbabwe on Thursday, becoming the youngest player ever to score a maiden T20I half-century.
The 15-year-old became the youngest player to score a maiden T20I half-century after racing to an 18-ball fifty in Harare. It was a timely response from the teenage batter, who had managed scores of 14, 13 and 15 in his first three appearances for India during the T20I series against England.
Following those outings, Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final T20I. His exclusion came amid intense scrutiny over India's selection decisions. Earlier in the England series, Sanju Samson, who had been India's Player of the Tournament during their T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was dropped from the side, with Sooryavanshi brought into the XI. However, for the fifth match, the management reversed course, restoring Samson and leaving out the youngster. Samson was subsequently omitted from India's squad for the Zimbabwe tour.
Former India captain and ex-BCCI selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth admitted he was baffled by the decision to drop Sooryavanshi after only three failures and took aim at head coach Gautam Gambhir over the move.
"He (Sooryavanshi) has an effortless range of shots, yet, not one shot was cross-batted. This boy is really something special. How did Gautam Gambhir foolishly drop him, of all people, after three failures to crush his confidence?" said Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda.
With Gambhir not accompanying the team on the Zimbabwe tour, former India batter VVS Laxman is serving as the side's interim head coach.
Srikkanth also highlighted the youngster's commitment to improvement, revealing that Sooryavanshi immediately returned to work after the England series rather than taking a break.
"I salute Vaibhav for his dedication. After the England series, he didn't go home and instead went straight to the Rajasthan Royals camp. He has been working on his batting against the short ball because he wants to prove to the whole world that he is special," Srikkanth added.
The 1983 World Cup winner was equally impressed by the fearless approach shown by Sooryavanshi despite the pressure of retaining his place in the national side. According to Srikkanth, many young players would have opted for a safer route after a string of low scores, but the teenager remained committed to his attacking game.
"The ease at which he scores at a 250 strike rate is extraordinary. Normally, after three failures, other players would have tried to safeguard their place in the Indian team by taking singles and twos. But he played fearlessly without worrying about the consequences. Scoring a 50 off 18 **** has become child's play for him. That's his greatness," Srikkanth elaborated.
Sooryavanshi's explosive innings not only earned him a place in the record books bu
The 15-year-old became the youngest player to score a maiden T20I half-century after racing to an 18-ball fifty in Harare. It was a timely response from the teenage batter, who had managed scores of 14, 13 and 15 in his first three appearances for India during the T20I series against England.
Following those outings, Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final T20I. His exclusion came amid intense scrutiny over India's selection decisions. Earlier in the England series, Sanju Samson, who had been India's Player of the Tournament during their T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was dropped from the side, with Sooryavanshi brought into the XI. However, for the fifth match, the management reversed course, restoring Samson and leaving out the youngster. Samson was subsequently omitted from India's squad for the Zimbabwe tour.
Former India captain and ex-BCCI selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth admitted he was baffled by the decision to drop Sooryavanshi after only three failures and took aim at head coach Gautam Gambhir over the move.
"He (Sooryavanshi) has an effortless range of shots, yet, not one shot was cross-batted. This boy is really something special. How did Gautam Gambhir foolishly drop him, of all people, after three failures to crush his confidence?" said Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda.
With Gambhir not accompanying the team on the Zimbabwe tour, former India batter VVS Laxman is serving as the side's interim head coach.
Srikkanth also highlighted the youngster's commitment to improvement, revealing that Sooryavanshi immediately returned to work after the England series rather than taking a break.
"I salute Vaibhav for his dedication. After the England series, he didn't go home and instead went straight to the Rajasthan Royals camp. He has been working on his batting against the short ball because he wants to prove to the whole world that he is special," Srikkanth added.
The 1983 World Cup winner was equally impressed by the fearless approach shown by Sooryavanshi despite the pressure of retaining his place in the national side. According to Srikkanth, many young players would have opted for a safer route after a string of low scores, but the teenager remained committed to his attacking game.
"The ease at which he scores at a 250 strike rate is extraordinary. Normally, after three failures, other players would have tried to safeguard their place in the Indian team by taking singles and twos. But he played fearlessly without worrying about the consequences. Scoring a 50 off 18 **** has become child's play for him. That's his greatness," Srikkanth elaborated.
Sooryavanshi's explosive innings not only earned him a place in the record books bu
2 months ago
'Crush his confidence': Kris Srikkanth slams Gautam Gambhir's treatment of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth slammed Gautam Gambhir for dropping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after three low scores.
Teen hits record 18-ball fifty on return, becomes youngest T20I half-century scorer.
Ex-selector praises Sooryavanshi's fearless approach despite the failures.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has lashed out against head coach Gautam Gambhir for axing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing eleven after just three underwhelming innings during the England series.
#crush
Krishnamachari Srikkanth slammed Gautam Gambhir for dropping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after three low scores.
Teen hits record 18-ball fifty on return, becomes youngest T20I half-century scorer.
Ex-selector praises Sooryavanshi's fearless approach despite the failures.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has lashed out against head coach Gautam Gambhir for axing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing eleven after just three underwhelming innings during the England series.
#crush
3 months ago
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth criticised Tilak Varma following India's shocking one-run defeat to Ireland in the second T20I in Belfast on June 28.
Chasing 155 to level the two-match series, India were reduced to 19/3 in the third over when Tilak Varma walked in to bat. The 23-year-old tried to steady the innings but managed only a slow-paced 55 off 46 ******* . The rest of the batting line-up also struggled as India fell one run short, suffering a 0-2 series defeat.
Criticising Tilak and the other batters on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, "Tilak Varma tried to take it till the end and become the hero. He thought of winning it in the end and celebrate by lifting his jersey. These targets have to be chased down with an over to spare and not go till the end.
"You can't play the way India did in the middle phase, especially Tilak Varma, Dube and Axar. All their strike rates were poor. You have to stabilize a bit and then start attacking in the middle phase. Otherwise, you'll be finished if you fail in the middle phase. India lost the game in the middle phase. Tilak Varma was just playing for himself by sneaking in ones and twos. Axar Patel was the same."
Tilak had also struggled in the first T20I, scoring 21 off 19 ******* as India lost by 34 runs.
Srikkanth also criticised India's approach during the middle overs of the second T20I. The visitors went seven overs without hitting a single boundary, with Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel unable to score freely.
"There was a stage when there were 45 ******* without a boundary in the middle phase. How can you win a T20 match like that? It's shameful that a medicore Ireland bowling has finished this Indian batting lineup. Even in the IPL, look at how many of these top Indian batters scored in Lucknow? Because in Lucknow, the wicket helped the swing and seam bowlers. Very few Indian batters scored in Lucknow. India needed to attack in the middle and not take it till the end," said Srikkanth.
Before this series, India had won all eight of their previous T20Is against Ireland. The 0-2 defeat marked India's first-ever series loss to Ireland in the format.
Chasing 155 to level the two-match series, India were reduced to 19/3 in the third over when Tilak Varma walked in to bat. The 23-year-old tried to steady the innings but managed only a slow-paced 55 off 46 ******* . The rest of the batting line-up also struggled as India fell one run short, suffering a 0-2 series defeat.
Criticising Tilak and the other batters on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, "Tilak Varma tried to take it till the end and become the hero. He thought of winning it in the end and celebrate by lifting his jersey. These targets have to be chased down with an over to spare and not go till the end.
"You can't play the way India did in the middle phase, especially Tilak Varma, Dube and Axar. All their strike rates were poor. You have to stabilize a bit and then start attacking in the middle phase. Otherwise, you'll be finished if you fail in the middle phase. India lost the game in the middle phase. Tilak Varma was just playing for himself by sneaking in ones and twos. Axar Patel was the same."
Tilak had also struggled in the first T20I, scoring 21 off 19 ******* as India lost by 34 runs.
Srikkanth also criticised India's approach during the middle overs of the second T20I. The visitors went seven overs without hitting a single boundary, with Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel unable to score freely.
"There was a stage when there were 45 ******* without a boundary in the middle phase. How can you win a T20 match like that? It's shameful that a medicore Ireland bowling has finished this Indian batting lineup. Even in the IPL, look at how many of these top Indian batters scored in Lucknow? Because in Lucknow, the wicket helped the swing and seam bowlers. Very few Indian batters scored in Lucknow. India needed to attack in the middle and not take it till the end," said Srikkanth.
Before this series, India had won all eight of their previous T20Is against Ireland. The 0-2 defeat marked India's first-ever series loss to Ireland in the format.
