The Times of India

When Yashasvi Jaiswal walked out to bat in Galle for the first Test against Sri Lanka, he was playing the 30th Test of his career. The milestone came with an unusual record - Jaiswal has played each of his first 30 Tests at a different venue. The India opener has never played a Test at the same ground twice. His journey began in Roseau in July 2023 and, after stops across the Caribbean, South Africa, India, England and Australia, he reached his 30th Test in Galle on Saturday.

During India's prestigious 600th Test match, Yashasvi Jaiswal faced a comical run-out involving KL Rahul. A chaotic mix-up left both players at the same crease after an unexpected collision. As Jaiswal tried to backtrack, Rahul mistakenly saw this as a cue to advance. This quirky moment occurred while both were vying for essential points in the World Test Championship.

India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the opening Test of the two-match series in Galle on Saturday. Gill said the pitch looked good and the weather conditions were also favourable for a full day of cricket.

Rishabh Pant is about to reach a monumental achievement in Test cricket, needing only three sixes to collect his hundred. This success would welcome him into an esteemed circle of Test players. Additionally, the historic Galle International Cricket Stadium is celebrating its 50th Test match. With his powerful and aggressive style, Pant's performance will be critical on the tough pitch conditions ahead.

The men-in-Blue, led by Shubman Gill, are set to become only the third team after England and Australia to reach the milestone, that too on the day when the nation is celebrating its 80th Independence Day from the colonial rule..

Shoaib took 178 wickets in 46 Tests during his international career, which ended during the 2011 World Cup in India amid reported differences with then Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. He also took 247 wickets in 163 ODIs and 21 wickets in 15 T20Is.

Jemimah Rodrigues is out of the Women's Asia Cup and Asian Games due to a hamstring tear. Pratika Rawal replaces Rodrigues in the Asia Cup squad after recovering from injury. India will compete in the Asia Cup starting August 28, facing Pakistan on September 5. The hamstring injury also prevents Rodrigues from participating in the Asian Games.

Tata Steel has officially sanctioned the sale of its entire ownership stake in Jamshedpur FC for a minimal price. The agreement includes the transfer of the ISL sporting rights to Churchill Brothers Sports Club, as well as the contracts for players and coaching staff, which will move to the Goa-based club starting September 2026. This strategic decision allows Tata Steel to focus on enhancing grassroots football initiatives.

Harbhajan Singh suggests bowlers must attack Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to succeed. He believes containing the young batter is not an effective strategy. Sooryavanshi's aggressive style forces elite bowlers to reconsider their approach. The former spinner emphasises taking wickets over defensive bowling tactics. Accepting boundaries is part of the risk when facing this talented player.

Matthew Hayden pointed out that Rohit Sharma is the architect of his own cricket destiny. As a veteran, Rohit must consider his desire and endurance for the rigorous schedules, especially following his retirement from the Test and T20I formats. His recent performance against England showcases his enduring talent, and the spotlight will only intensify as the 2027 World Cup in Africa looms ahead.

Sarfaraz Khan's return to the Indian Test squad creates a selection dilemma. He competes with Dhruv Jurel for a spot in the upcoming Sri Lanka series. Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Jurel might get the nod for the first Test. Ashwin suggests team management should offer Sarfaraz clarity on his role. Spin conditions in Galle could favor Sarfaraz's batting technique against bowlers.