Duleep Trophy: Late wickets peg West back, leave contest wide open; East crushes North East
The West Zone: North Zone produced a dramatic late fightback on Day 3 of their Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against West Zone, picking up four wickets in the final 33 minutes of play to turn the contest on its head and leave their opponents needing 67 runs with only three wickets in hand, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Tuesday. West Zone were firmly in control about halfway through the third session, due to a 111-run stand between Musheer Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, which put their team on the path to victory. However, when Gaikwad was dismissed, it led to a collapse and gave North Zone fresh hope as they entered the final morning. Although Gaikwad had appeared at ease even in the face of the kind of delivery the surface had to offer, he reached his fifty in less than a run-a-ball and was apparently going to lead West Zone home with Musheer. Yet his innings was ended by a run-out when he tried to steal a quick single - this being the first run-out of his first-class career. The dismissal had an immediate effect on the momentum. Less than three overs afterwards, Musheer fell just short of his century in an attempt to play a one-handed sweep; he was nicked off the toe-end as the ball kicked and turned sharply, thus ending his counter-attacking innings. Musheer played well in relation to the conditions, choosing his shots against the quick bowlers and attacking on the leg side. He made use of his feet when facing the spinners and depended on his usual sweep shot, but it was that same shot which eventually cost him. After that, West Zone lost two quick wickets as the North Zone took advantage of the sudden change in momentum. Urvil Patel finished his innings without being dismissed, with Shardul Thakur and Tanush Kotian coming in next, and Tushar Deshpande also being able to contribute with the bat. Abid Mushtaq, who had not taken a wicket until late in the innings, played a vital part in the change of direction by getting enough turn from the pitch to dismiss Shams Mulani and Mukesh Choudhary. Earlier, in their second innings, North Zone had reached 222 after being at 107/4 at the start of the day, with Ayush Badoni scoring a fifty and Nishant Sindhu adding 44 from seventh position. The team then fell to 158/7 before Anshul Kamboj managed three sixes, which enabled them to pass 200. Mulani and Kotian made the most of the grip and bite that the pitch provided, between them taking eight wickets. The West Zone team will now play on the last morning with 67 runs still needed and three wickets left. Brief scores: North Zone 251 & 222 (Ayush Badoni 50, Nishant Sindhu 44; Tanush Kotian 4-48, Shams Mulani 4-78) lead West Zone 187 & 220/7 (Musheer Khan 96, Ruturaj Gaikwad 66; Abid Mushtaq 2-56, Sunil Kumar 1-23) by 67 runs. East Zone vs North East Zone East Zone completed a comprehensive innings victory over North East Zone with Anukul Roy claiming a five-wicket haul as North East Zone were bowled out for under 150 in their second innings. Resuming on 7/0 and 349 runs behind, North East Zone showed some improvement but were still unable to mount a serious fightback. They were reduced to 90/8 by the 35th over before Pheiroijam Jotin offered late resistance from No.7, top-scoring with 39 off 75. Jotin received support from No.10 Akash Choudhary, who faced 50 balls for his 27, helping North East Zone stretch their innings slightly before East Zone wrapped up the contest. Anukul ended with five wickets, his seventh five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, while the three left-arm spinners of East Zone shared eight wickets among themselves. Shahbaz Ahmed kept up his fine form by dismissing opener Joseph Lalthankhuma while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi removed Kishan Lyngdoh and Imliwati Lemtur in the same over. Captain Ishan Kishan was also busy behind the stumps, taking four catches and completing a stumping. Anukul has seven five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket, but it was Shahbaz who was awarded the Player of the Match for his career-best 167 and four wickets in the match. Captain Ishan Kishan was also busy behind the stumps, taking four catches and completing a stumping. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories East Zone 467 beat North East Zone 111 & 146 (Pheiroijam Jotin 39, Akash Choudhary 27; Anukul Roy 5-37, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 2-11) by an innings and 210 runs. Article Source: IANS
KCL | Vathsalsblistering knock steers Sailors home
UPT20 2026: Karn Sharma Retires As Meerut Mavericks Secure Seventh Consecutive Win
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Meerut Mavericks continued their invincible run in the UP T20 League 2026 securing their seventh consecutive victory by defeating the Kanpur Superstars by 19 runs. The match 19 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium was reduced to a five-overs-a-side sprint due to heavy rain. The evening was marked by an emotional farewell for veteran leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who played his final competitive match. Sharma was presented with a special memento by Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor for his immense contributions to the sport and was given a guard of honour by the players as he took the field. Kanpur Superstars skipper Sameer Rizvi won the toss and elected to bowl first in the shortened contest. Knowing they had only 30 deliveries to set a total, the Meerut Mavericks' batters went on the offensive immediately. Good contributions from the top order set a rapid pace, but it was skipper & India international Rinku Singh who stole the show. He unleashed a devastating blitz, smashing 30 runs off just 10 deliveries to propel the Mavericks to a mammoth 96/3 in their five overs. In a fitting end to his illustrious bowling career, Karn Sharma claimed the prized wicket of Rinku Singh to bow out on a high note. Faced with a daunting target of 97 in five overs, the Kanpur Superstars started brightly. Openers Adarsh Singh (28 off 8 balls) and Sameer Rizvi (22 off 13 balls) provided an explosive start, keeping Kanpur in the hunt early on. However, Meerut spinner Zeeshan Ansari turned the game on its head with a spectacular bowling display. Ansari delivered a brilliant spell, returning exceptional figures of 3/12 to completely derail the run chase. Unable to recover from his strikes, the Kanpur Superstars could only manage 77/3 in their five overs, suffering their fifth defeat in six matches. For his game-changing spell, Zeeshan Ansari was adjudged the Player of the Match. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he shed light on his tactical approach in the high-pressure chase. Nothing much; the preparation has been to stay ready according to the team's situation, Ansari explained regarding his consistent performances. I have been bowling with the red ball, and that has been beneficial to me as well. I have been using my brain quite a bit while bowling and having fun doing it. Addressing his ability to restrict runs in such a volatile format, he added: I think that as long as I do not take wickets, my economy will increase. I try to get the set batters out. Once I do that, my economy goes down, and that was the case today. I was determined to get Sameer Rizvi out because I knew if he kept batting, the match would end with two or three balls to spare. I tried to get him out, and the over went well. Addressing his ability to restrict runs in such a volatile format, he added: Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I was under pressure after the first over of the chase, given the circumstances. I try to back my strengths, bowling slower, trying variations, and bowling the googly, and I just focused on them. Article Source: IANS
What makes Prasidh Krishna a 'world-class' bowler
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has lauded pacer Prasidh Krishna for his resilience in ignoring 'outside voices' and working hard to develop into a 'world-class bowler', highlighting his impressive performance against Sri Lanka.
Root really Hacked Off As Carse Incident Overshadows Englands Pakistan Victory
Captain Joe Root: Captain Joe Root has admitted he is really hacked off that Englands off-field issues continue to overshadow their performances on the field, after Brydon Carse was briefly arrested following a night out in Derby and subsequently withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan. Carse was filmed in handcuffs celebrating Durham's victory over Derbyshire on Saturday night. He was later released after a short spell in the cells after police suspected him of being drunk and disorderly. The incident is being investigated by the Cricket Regulator and Carse has been stood down from Englands squad for the Lords Test. England had only just returned to form, dominating Pakistan in an innings and 103-run victory at Headingley in three days. The win was also a successful comeback for Root in charge of Englands Test side. If I'm being brutally honest, I'm really hacked off, Root told a press conference. I'm really disappointed that after last week's performance we are sat here and we're talking about something not related to it at all. In terms of the incident itself, obviously with the regulator, there's not a lot I can say on it. It's in their hands now. I've spoken to Brydon when I first found out; my first concern was for him as a person. In my time in the dressing room, you obviously develop personal relationships with players. I don't think I'm speaking out of turn when I say he's been very upset and has been very apologetic and understands his actions. I'm sure when he gets his chance, he will say that himself. It's not the isolated incident itself, it's the fact that we continually keep making stupid mistakes away from the game and it's detracting from what we're doing on the field. The Carse episode is the latest in a string of off-field incidents involving England players. Last autumn, white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer while out the evening before an ODI in New Zealand, while an unverified video appeared to show Ben Duckett drunk during Englands Ashes tour. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson missed the second Test against New Zealand earlier this summer after breaking curfew to attend a Chelsea nightclub following Englands win in the first Test at Lords. Both were given written warnings for breaching contractual obligations and were found not guilty of violent conduct. Root believes England must now rebuild their image and build a stronger culture in the team. We have an opportunity going forward, he said. Clearly we're not portraying ourselves as we want to. We've got an opportunity to build a culture that is very strong, and we can be proud of that; it's player-driven. That's not going to happen overnight. We've had conversations about what is expected from us, what it means and takes to play for England. We want to create something we can be proud of, what people following us can be proud of. We want supporters to look at us and revere us, not just what we do on the field but off it as well. Root also stressed that England must ensure their off-field standards match the quality they showed during their emphatic win at Headingley. Over the next little while, as leader of this team, with Stephen [Fleming], and with the group of players as well, I am creating something that is just that. Root continued: We have a chance to build something that lives alongside what we achieved last week on the field. I thought it was a brilliant performance. The way we played was exceptional. We have to align that with being exceptional off the field as well and understand what that looks like and how we want to represent ourselves and our nation. Root continued: We have a chance to build something that lives alongside what we achieved last week on the field. I thought it was a brilliant performance. The way we played was exceptional. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories And something we're going to have to live and breathe consistently. Article Source: IANS
Rishabh Pant 'badly bruised', India hopeful of Day 4 return
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel provided an update on Rishabh Pant's shoulder injury, stating the wicketkeeper-batter is adly bruised but expressed hope for his return on day four of the second Test against Sri Lanka. Pant did not keep wickets on day three after sustaining a blow while batting. Morkel also commented on Kuldeep Yadav's absence due to viral fever and India's strategy to secure the remaining Sri Lankan wickets.
2nd Test: Rain Threat Looms Large Over Colombo On Day 4 Of SL Vs IND Match
Sri Lanka: Rain poses a significant threat to the fourth day of the Sri Lanka vs India 2nd Test as Colombo is expected to witness periods of rain on Wednesday. The heavens opened up a couple of times on Day 3 as stumps were called early in the final session, with India sitting comfortably to win the match. However, they will have to contend not just with the resistance of the overnight unbeaten pair of Sonal Dinusha (85) and Lahiru Kumara (8), but with rain too, as the threat looms large on Day 4. As per AccuWeather, there is a 97 per cent chance of precipitation on Wednesday, with periods of rain expected to come down. It was 96 per cent on Tuesday, as a little afternoon rain was expected to fall, but it indeed cuts around an hour if extra time is not considered. The hourly rain prediction for Day 4 paints a gloomy picture early in the morning. There is an 85 per cent chance of precipitation at 6 AM, and it stays at 75 per cent at 9 AM, 45 minutes before the rescheduled start of the game. The probability of rainfall fluctuates from 49 per cent at 10 AM to 75 per cent at 11 AM, then 68 per cent at 12 noon and 49 per cent at 1 PM. It points to rainfall making its presence felt, as a 56 per cent chance of rain is predicted for 2 PM, 63 per cent at 3 PM, 45 per cent at 4 PM, 53 per cent at 5 PM and 45 per cent at 6 PM. The hourly rain prediction for Day 4 paints a gloomy picture early in the morning. There is an 85 per cent chance of precipitation at 6 AM, and it stays at 75 per cent at 9 AM, 45 minutes before the rescheduled start of the game. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories In all, 98 overs are expected to be bowled on Day 4; however, it remains to be seen how much of the quota will be sent down with rain around the corner as India push for a result. Article Source: IANS
Badly Bruised: India Coach On Why Rishabh Pant Didn't Field On Day 3 Of 2nd Sri Lanka Test
Indian cricket team bowling coach Morne Morkel provided a worrying update on Rishabh Pant after the wicketkeeper-batter did not take the field on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Morkel doesn't rule out India enforcing follow-on as rain looms in Colombo
India bowling coach also hopes Pant is fit to keep wicket on day four after getting hit on the shoulder while batting
Great to see Prasidh develop into a world-class bowler: Morkel
The Indian bowling coach believes he has the potential to play for India in all three formats for a long time
'When In Doubt, Favour The Batters': CA To Pass Suggestion To Pitch Curators
World Test Championship: Cricket Australia (CA) will ask pitch curators to lean the balance towards the batters in the upcoming Sheffield Shield amid ongoing debates over pitches in domestic cricket and the ripple effect they have on developing Test cricketers. The CA's operations and scheduling boss, Peter Roach, will be urging the curators to change their pitch treatment from preparing pitches favouring the bowlers to giving it a favour for the batters if they are in doubt over the conditions. This comes amid the growing criticism of the Australian surfaces in the recent past, with the latest two-day finish at Mackay being scrutinised. Roach recently held discussions with pitch curators from Australia's red-ball venues. Moreover, state coaches also had a meeting with CA high-performance staff, and the home Test pitches were the major talking point, with Roach confirming the change of approach that they have conveyed to the curators. Our previous language, probably for the best part of a decade, has been that we do want to see a balance between bat and ball, Roach said, as quoted by Cricinfo. Our curators share that view that they want to see the same, and hopefully, I think our teams do as well. But over the last decade, that's probably been a 'when in doubt, lean towards the bowler'. If you think about 10 years ago, when batters were having their way, and things were a bit flat, that made some sense. We still want to see results in our games. We don't want long, laborious draws. That's not good for cricket. We want to see results late in games. That's ideal. But the language that we [now want] to get across to our curators is that 'if in doubt, favour the batter,' he added. He added that it is crucial to edress the balance between the bat and the ball, which now seems to be tilting towards the bowlers in some Tests due to several factors. [Redressing the balance] is actually in all those little decisions, trying to create the perfect balance. And our curators speak openly about this. They have hundreds of decisions to make in their preparation, depending on weather in lead-in, other games and so forth. Our language is we still want the balance, but if in doubt, lean towards the batter. That's in response to the way the game's being played, he added. If you think about 10 years ago, when batters were having their way, and things were a bit flat, that made some sense. We still want to see results in our games. We don't want long, laborious draws. That's not good for cricket. We want to see results late in games. That's ideal. But the language that we [now want] to get across to our curators is that 'if in doubt, favour the batter,' he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories If you look back five years ago, you're seeing consistent 400-500s being scored in the first innings. If you put a three in front of [the score] these days, you're usually in a pretty strong position. Article Source: IANS
Babar Azam set to return for Pakistan in second Test
Captain expected to be passed fit for Lord's after finger injury
Colombo Test: Dinusha defiant but India in drivers' seat
India retained a firm grip on the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, despite Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 85, with the hosts still facing the prospect of a follow-on after rain and bad light ended play early on day three.
Joe Root 'hacked off' after Carse incident mars Lord's Test build-up
England captain frustrated that team-mates
India remain in control of Colombo Test despite Pasindu, Sonal's well-deserved half-centuries
India strengthened their position in the second Test against Sri Lanka after the hosts reached 230/8 at stumps on a rain-affected third day, still 238 runs behind the visitors. They started the day with the...
Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy grabbed five wickets while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also helped himself to a couple of scalps as East Zone demolished North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs to enter the Duleep Trophy semi-finals, on Tuesday.
Umpiring and coaching standards need to get better: Wettimuny
Rahul Dravid Spots One Big Problem In Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Rapid Rise
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already started to flourish in T20Is. In six innings so far, the 15-year-old has scored 193 runs at a strike rate of 189.21
Natarajan credits Sreenath Aravind for death-overs variations
'Pakistan Tried To Airbrush Imran Khan Out Of Existence': England Great Drops Bombshell
Michael Atherton was one of the 21 former cricketers who wrote a letter to the Pakistan government with a request of humane treatment for Imran Khan.
2nd Test: Sri Lanka Close At 265/8 But India Remain In Control As Rain Cuts Short Day 3
Sinhalese Sports Club: Sri Lanka mounted a determined resistance on the third day of the second Test against India to reach 265/8 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, but India remained firmly in command despite rain forcing an early close with the hosts on 264/8 on Tuesday. A total of 257 runs were scored for the loss of six wickets on Day 3, with Sri Lanka's lower-order frustrating the Indian attack for long periods. India still hold a substantial 238-run lead, leaving them in a strong position heading into the fourth day. The biggest source of resistance was Sonal Dinusha, who continued his impressive run against India with a composed unbeaten 84 off 135 balls. The left-hander showed considerable patience while also using the sweep effectively against the Indian spinners. Dinusha reached his third consecutive fifty-plus score in his first three Test innings against India, becoming only the second Sri Lankan batter, after Duleep Mendis, to achieve the feat. He found valuable support from Keshara Nuwantha, who battled for 74 balls to make 18, before India's Manav Suthar finally broke the partnership in the 69th over. Nuwantha attempted an ambitious drive against Suthar but picked out Saransh Jain at mid-off, giving India their eighth wicket. Suthar and the Indian spinners then kept Sri Lanka under pressure, but Dinusha continued to hold firm. Lahiru Kumara, who joined him after Nuwantha's dismissal, also showed considerable resistance as the pair saw Sri Lanka through the final stages. India's bowlers had to work hard for their wickets. Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar claimed three wickets apiece, while Ravindra Jadeja picked up one. Saransh Jain, meanwhile, bowled a long spell without finding a wicket but troubled the batters with turn and bounce. India's hopes of wrapping up the Sri Lankan innings were boosted when the second new ball became available late in the day. However, the fading light meant spin was used from both ends, with Jadeja and Jain operating as India waited for another opportunity to attack. The weather ultimately intervened. At around 5:00 PM local time, rain began to fall over the ground, and the players were forced off. Ground staff quickly brought on the covers as dark clouds gathered over the venue. The umpires also assessed the light, but conditions deteriorated further. With no improvement, stumps were called at 5:15 PM, bringing an end to a long day in which Sri Lanka had managed to keep India at bay for significant periods. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 84, while Kumara was 8 not out at the close. Sri Lanka will resume on 264/8, still 238 runs behind India, with only two wickets remaining. While Sri Lanka can take plenty of encouragement from the resilience shown by Dinusha and the lower-order, India will believe they remain well ahead of the game. With two wickets still to claim and a sizeable lead already in their favour, the visitors will look to finish the innings quickly when play resumes. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 84, while Kumara was 8 not out at the close. Sri Lanka will resume on 264/8, still 238 runs behind India, with only two wickets remaining. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India 503/9 decl. lead Sri Lanka 265/8 in 65 overs (Sonal Dinusha 85 not out, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80; Prasidh Krishna 3-47, Manav Suthar 3-83) by 238 runs Article Source: IANS
Prasidh and Suthar share six to keep India in driver's seat
Sonal Dinusha fought a lone battle as the hosts still trailed India by 238 runs going into day four
Anaya Bangar Set To Return To Cricket After Clearance From Cricket Australia
Anaya Bangar, child of former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has received clearance to play female Community Cricket in Australia.
Anaya Bangar cleared to play elite women's cricket in Aus
Former Mumbai U-19 cricketer Anaya Bangar can play elite women's cricket in Australia from March 2027, subject to Cricket Australia's eligibility criteria.
Odisha T20 League 2026 To Begin On Sep 18, Final On Sep 27 At Barabati Stadium
The Odisha T20 League: The Odisha T20 League 2026 will get underway on September 18 at Cuttack's iconic Barabati Stadium, with the tournament final scheduled for September 27. The 10-day competition will bring together cricketers from across the state, offering established players and emerging talent an opportunity to compete in a high-intensity T20 environment. Six franchises representing different regions of Odisha Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Kandujhar, Puri, Rourkela and Sambalpur will feature in the tournament. The regional representation is expected to add a strong local flavour to the competition while providing players from different districts with a platform to test themselves against quality opposition. The tournament will also give young cricketers valuable exposure and match experience, with performances potentially helping them progress to higher levels of the domestic game. Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary Sanjay Behera welcomed the return of the competition and said the association looked forward to another season at Barabati Stadium. Speaking about the upcoming season, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary Sanjay Behera expressed his delight. We are very happy that the Odisha T20 League 2026 is set to begin on September 18. The tournament will continue until September 27, and we are looking forward to an exciting season of cricket at the Barabati Stadium. Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary Sanjay Behera welcomed the return of the competition and said the association looked forward to another season at Barabati Stadium. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With the competition bringing together players from across Odisha, the 2026 edition is set to combine regional representation with a focus on nurturing the state's emerging cricketing talent. The historic Barabati Stadium, which has previously hosted international cricket, will serve as the centrepiece for the tournament from September 18 through to the September 27 final. Article Source: IANS
You're Just Wasting Time: Sarfaraz Khan Taunts Sri Lanka Skipper With Brutal Dig During 2nd Test
Sarfaraz Khan taunted Dhananjaya de Silva with a cheeky remark on Day 3 of the second Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo.
East Zone thrash North East Zone to seal spot in Duleep Trophy semis; who do they play next?
East Zone booked their place in the Duleep Trophy semi-finals with an innings-and-210-run victory over North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru. The result was set up by two...
ICC Steps In After Sri Lankan Star Prabhath Jayasuriya's Emotional Outburst During 2nd Test vs India
The final moments of Day 2 action in the second India vs Sri Lanka Test in Colombo were frustrating for the hosts
'Pressure is on another level': Harmanpreet on Indo-Pak tie
Harmanpreet Kaur says a winning culture is taking shape in the Indian women's cricket team as they prepare for the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
Another Sri Lanka cricketer reprimanded by ICC for breaching code of conduct in second Test vs India
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reprimanded Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for his actions after being dismissed during the ongoing World Test Championship match against India in Colombo. He was sanctioned for breaching Article...
ICC reprimands SLs Prabath Jayasuriya for breaching Code of Conduct
Jayasuriya had flung his gloves after being dismissed by Indian spinner Manav Suthar on day 2 of the second Test
2nd Test: Sri Lanka Resist As India Pick Three Wickets, Reach 216/7 At Tea
Sinhalese Sports Club: Sri Lanka showed considerable resistance in the second session on Day 3 of the second Test, but India continued to tighten their grip on the Test as the hosts reached 216/7 at tea, still trailing by a substantial margin, here at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Resuming after a 30-minute rain interruption, Sri Lanka began the session at 131/4, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Dhananjaya de Silva at the crease. India immediately turned to spin, with Manav Suthar operating from one end, while the overcast conditions offered the prospect of assistance for the seamers. The breakthrough came soon enough. Suthar dismissed de Silva for 8, getting the Sri Lankan captain to edge a delivery that gripped and turned. The ball deflected off Dhruv Jurel's gloves before Rahul completed the catch at slip. Sri Lanka were reduced to 137/5 and were still more than 350 runs behind. Sooriyabandara, however, continued to hold the innings together. He reached 80 from 133 balls, striking nine fours, before Ravindra Jadeja finally ended his resistance. The left-arm spinner repeatedly attacked the stumps and was rewarded when Sooriyabandara got a thick inside edge that ricocheted off his back thigh and rolled onto the stumps. His dismissal ended a crucial partnership and left Sri Lanka 171/6. India then made another breakthrough when Mohammed Siraj removed Niroshan Dickwella for a duck. The pacer bowled a short delivery down the leg side, and Dickwella got a faint edge while attempting to tuck it away, with Jurel completing a low catch behind the stumps. It was Siraj's first wicket of the innings. With Sri Lanka seven down, Sonal Dinusha emerged as the key figure in the lower order. He combined with Keshara Nuwantha to frustrate India's bowlers and took the attack back to the spinners whenever the opportunity presented itself. Dinusha reached his half-century from 84 balls, bringing it up with a glance off Suthar for four. Earlier, he had launched Saransh Jain for six and later struck Jadeja for another boundary as Sri Lanka crossed 200. Nuwantha also provided resistance, including a six off Jain that briefly broke the pressure created by consecutive maiden overs from Jadeja and Jain. India had one anxious moment when they reviewed an lbw decision against Nuwantha, only for replays to confirm a substantial inside edge. The review was consequently lost. At tea, Dinusha remained unbeaten on 52 from 84 balls, while Nuwantha was 13 not out from 65 deliveries. The pair had added an important partnership for the eighth wicket and ensured Sri Lanka did not collapse before the interval. For India, Jadeja bowled a disciplined spell of 15 overs for 27 runs and a wicket, while Suthar had two wickets to his name. Prasidh Krishna remained India's most successful bowler with three wickets. Nuwantha also provided resistance, including a six off Jain that briefly broke the pressure created by consecutive maiden overs from Jadeja and Jain. India had one anxious moment when they reviewed an lbw decision against Nuwantha, only for replays to confirm a substantial inside edge. The review was consequently lost. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Brief Scores: India 503/9 in 138 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115 not out; Asitha Fernando 4-106, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-132) lead Sri Lanka 216/7 in 65 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80, Sonal Dinusha 52; Prasidh Krishna 3-46, Manav Suthar 2-71) by 287 runs Article Source: IANS
Jayasuriya reprimanded for hitting boundary wedges with bat after dismissal
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando had been penalised earlier in the Test for an on-field confrontation on the first day
DPL: 'We'll Provide More Players To IPL And India,' Says Kohlis Childhood Coach Rajkumar Sharma
New Delhi Tigers: Virat Kohli's childhood and New Delhi Tigers head coach Rajkumar Sharma reflected on his side's campaign and committed the role of Delhi Premier League in identifying key players who possess the blueprint to reach the highest levels of Indian cricket. South Delhi Superstarz registered a commanding five-wicket win over New Delhi Tigers in the DPL 2026, chasing down 169 with more than an over to spare at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. When asked which players from his squad have the potential to make it big and represent India, Sharma highlighted both established performers and promising youth. If we talk about T20 cricket, Manish Sehrawat performed really well. Himmat Singh is a good player, and Hrithik Shokeen is also a solid performer. These players have already established themselves. They are the ones who will continue to work hard in the future. We also have Under-19 boys in our squad who need to learn, but with time, they will grow and become match winners, Sharma stated. The head coach also addressed the setback that derailed the Tigers' season after they initially looked like strong playoff contenders. First of all, missing Prince was a massive setback for us. He was our strike bowler and an India player whom we expected to lead our bowling attack. Unfortunately, he got unfit and was unavailable for the entire tournament. Having only two marquee players Himmat Singh and Prince losing one left us with significant shortcomings, he explained. Despite the early exit, Sharma praised the Delhi Premier League (DPL) as a crucial feeder system for national and Indian Premier League (IPL) stage opportunities. DPL will make a massive contribution. Last year, players like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya made it to the IPL. I am sure this platform provided by the DDCA will be immensely beneficial, and in the future, we will provide even more players to the IPL and the Indian national team, he noted. Looking ahead, the veteran coach emphasized that the Tigers are already planning a strong comeback for the next edition. We have a lot of introspection to do. A lot has been planned, and we need to execute it well by starting our preparations early. The boys remain confident that we will bounce back next season, Sharma added. Looking ahead, the veteran coach emphasized that the Tigers are already planning a strong comeback for the next edition. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories In reply, South Delhi Superstarz paced their chase brilliantly. Anmol Sharma set the foundation with a fine half-century, while Ekansh Dobal anchored the mid-overs with an unbeaten 38 off 18. Ankit Dabas provided the final flourish by smashing three consecutive sixes in the 18th over, scoring 18 off 5 balls to seal a comfortable five wicket victory. Article Source: IANS
Not With Bat, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines With Ball in Duleep Trophy
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shined in his much anticipated Duleep Trophy debut but contributed two wickets as East Zone drew closer to a convincing victory over North East Zone. The 15-year-old came in as the vice-captain with Ishan Kishan, but could only manage
Dhruv Jurel: The Fighter Who Refused to Surrender
Dhruv Jurel showed the same traits as his father did as an army man: Courage, discipline, resilience and an unwillingness to surrender.
SL's Jayasuriya Reprimanded for ICC Code of Conduct Breach
Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya received a reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct by abusing cricket equipment after his dismissal on day two of the second Test against India.
'Non-veg tea?' Bombay HC asks MCA over insects in kitchens
The Bombay High Court has directed the FDA to conduct a fresh inspection of the Mumbai Cricket Association's kitchens after serious food safety and hygiene violations were found, including insects. The court also humorously questioned if cricketers were aware they were consuming on-vegetarian tea due to the unhygienic conditions. The MCA has been asked to clean its premises before the inspection.
I Take One Target At A Time, Says Indias First Olympic Skeet Shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan
ISSF World Shooting Championships: At 51, Mairaj Ahmad Khan still approaches shooting with the same mindset that has supported his long career in India: staying focused on the present, working hard, and taking each target as it comes. I never go in the future. I always stay in the present. I take one day at a time. I take one target at a time. This is my longevity secret, Mairaj said. His journey started in the under-12 category as a three-position rifle shooter, influenced by the firearms he was exposed to during his childhood. After taking a break to concentrate on studies and cricket, he resumed shooting in 1994 as a shotgun competitor before focusing on skeet from 2000. Mairaj became a pioneer for Indian skeet by being the first shooter from the country to qualify for the Olympics. He made his Olympic debut at Rio 2016 and participated again at Tokyo 2020, which was held in 2021. He also made history as the first Indian skeet shooter to win a World Cup medal, securing silver at the 2016 ISSF World Shooting Championships in Rio. He further achieved a milestone in 2022 by earning Indias first individual ISSF World Cup gold in mens skeet. That victory in 2022 was especially meaningful because Mairaj had almost decided to leave the sport. The passing of his father, the pandemic, and the loss of sponsorship support made it challenging to keep going. I realised that maybe this is the time to say thank you to the sport, he recalled. But the competitive fire remained. He returned by investing his own money and won World Cup gold in Korea, proving that he still had what it took. Though he missed Paris 2024, Mairaj is already aiming for Los Angeles 2028. I didnt qualify for Paris, but I never give up and Im focussing more towards LA. Maybe the ultimate dream comes true in LA only, you never know, he said. With another Asian Games approaching, Mairaj still refuses to make predictions. His approach remains the same: focus on the first target, stay fully present, and dedicate himself entirely to the moment. I didnt qualify for Paris, but I never give up and Im focussing more towards LA. Maybe the ultimate dream comes true in LA only, you never know, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With over thirty years in the sport, two Olympic appearances, and a historic World Cup gold, Mairaj Ahmad Khan continues his pursuit, aiming for the perfect shot, one target at a time. Article Source: IANS
Prabath Jayasuriya Reprimanded By ICC, Handed One Demerit Point For Code Breach
Sri Lanka player Prabath Jayasuriya has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct on the second day of the second Test against India in Colombo on Monday. Jayasuriya was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Jayasuriyas disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred after Jayasuriya was dismissed with the final delivery of the day, when he struck the boundary wedges with his bat on his way back to the pavilion. Jayasuriya admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella levelled the charge. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a players match fee, and one or two demerit points
We Are In A Very Good Position: Bangladesh Chief Selector On Chances Of Reaching WTC Final
Bangladesh selection chief Habibul Bashar believes his side are well placed to reach the ICC World Test Championship Final for the first time.
Graeme Smith Hails SA20s Growing Economic Impact, Highlights USD 406m GDP Boost
SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith: SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith revealed that the leagues record-breaking fourth season delivered a USD 406 million contribution to South Africas GDP, highlighting the tournaments growing economic footprint beyond the cricket field. The independently assessed Season 4 Economic Impact Assessment recorded increases across direct expenditure, GDP contribution, employment and household income, with the leagues overall GDP contribution rising 23 per cent from the previous season. Smith said the latest figures reflected the wider value that a successful sporting property could generate for the country as SA20 prepares for its landmark fifth season. Four seasons in, we can see the impact of SA20 extending well beyond what happens on the field. A USD 406 million contribution to GDP, almost 9,500 jobs supported and $106 million in household income are significant numbers and demonstrate the broader value that a successful South African sporting property can create, Smith said. SA20's direct expenditure climbed to USD 137 million in Season 4, compared with USD 112 million in Season 3. The league also created or sustained 9,470 annualised jobs, a 16 per cent increase year-on-year, while household income generated through the competition rose from USD 87 million to $106 million. The economic growth coincided with a significant increase in public interest. Total attendance across the season rose by 13 per cent, with 22 of the 34 matches played across the league's six host cities selling out. The final also sold out in record time for the fourth successive season. For Smith, the geographical spread of the competition is as important as the headline figures, with the six franchises and their host cities playing a central role in generating economic activity. What is particularly encouraging is that this impact is being generated across the country, Smith added. Our six franchises and host cities have been fundamental to the League's growth from day one. Every full stadium brings people into these cities, supports local businesses and creates opportunities around the event. As the League grows, we want that contribution to grow with it. The tournament's six franchises, all backed by Indian Premier League ownership groups, have helped drive investment and match-day activity across their respective markets, adding to the league's wider economic influence. SA20 also continued its social initiatives during Season 4, raising $31,200 for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and giving more than 400 young Laureus beneficiaries an opportunity to attend live cricket. The tournament's six franchises, all backed by Indian Premier League ownership groups, have helped drive investment and match-day activity across their respective markets, adding to the league's wider economic influence. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories SA20 Season 5 is scheduled to begin on January 17, 2027, with the player auction set for October 7 as the league prepares for its milestone fifth edition. Article Source: IANS
Shahbaz leads East Zone to innings win over North East Zone
Shahbaz Ahmed and Sudip Kumar Gharami scored centuries for East Zone, while Abhijit Sarkar and Anukul Roy returned five-fors to put East Zone in the semi-finals
SA20's Record-Breaking Season 4 Delivers $406 Million Boost To South Africa Economy
As SA20 builds towards its milestone fifth season, the independently assessed economic impact of Season 4 has underlined the League's growing contribution to South Africa
Duleep Trophy 2026: East Zone Thrash North East Zone By Innings And 210 Runs In QF
North East Zone: Shahbaz Ahmeds commanding 167 and Anukul Roys five-wicket haul powered East Zone to an innings and 210-run win over North East Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 on Tuesday. East Zone first posted a mammoth 467 before Abhijit Sarkars five-wicket haul helped bowl North East Zone out for 111 in their first innings. After being sent to bat again through a follow-on, North East Zone managed 146, with Anukul Roy finishing with five wickets as East Zone completed a dominant victory. Shahbaz was at the heart of East Zones imposing first-innings total, scoring 167 off 244 balls with 17 fours and four sixes. Sudip Kumar Gharami also played a key role, making 146 off 185 balls with 25 fours and a six. East Zone were reduced to 138 for five before Gharami and Shahbaz steadied the innings and turned the game firmly in their teams favour. Shahbaz continued after Gharamis dismissal to take East Zone towards a match-winning total of 467 runs. North East Zone struggled from the outset in reply and were bowled out for 111 in 42.5 overs. Sarkar returned impressive figures of 5-20 in 9.5 overs, while Shahbaz claimed 3-20. Arpit Bhatewara was their top scorer with 32, while Rongsen Jonathan made 21. The rest of the batting line-up failed to offer much resistance against East Zones disciplined attack. Forced to follow on, North East Zone again found themselves in trouble at 10 for one and never recovered. Pheiroijam Jotin offered some resistance with 39, while Akash Choudhary made 27 and Kishan Lyngdoh scored 25. Anukul then took control with the ball, claiming 5-37 from 15 overs to complete a five-wicket haul. Roy was well supported by youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who took two wickets, while Mukesh Kumar and Sarkar picked up one each. North East Zone were eventually dismissed for 146 in 50 overs, giving East Zone a comprehensive innings victory. Anukul then took control with the ball, claiming 5-37 from 15 overs to complete a five-wicket haul. Roy was well supported by youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who took two wickets, while Mukesh Kumar and Sarkar picked up one each. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Brief scores: East Zone 467 (Shahbaz Ahmed 167, Sudip Kumar Gharami 146, Kumar Kushagra 55; Pheiroijam Jotin 3-64, Akash Choudhary 3-102) beat North East Zone 111 & 146 (Pheiroijam Jotin 39, Akash Choudhary 27; Anukul Roy 5-37, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 2-11) by an innings and 210 runs. Article Source: IANS
'Pressure In India-Pakistan Match Is Unmatched': India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Ahead Of Asia Cup
Sony Sports Network: India women's captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that the pressure in India-Pakistan matches remain unmatched as the Women in Blue gear up for a clash against the Fatima Sana-led side in the upcoming Asia Cup. India are placed alongside arch-rivals Pakistan in Group A of the continental showpiece and will be up against them in their last league stage match on September 5. India have enjoyed a significant upper hand over Pakistan in T20Is. They have won 14 of the 17 matches against the Women in Green, including their last four in a row. However, Kaur believes the pressure of the India-Pakistan match remains unmatched to the other contests. No doubt its a high-pressure game and as a player you need to deal with multiple things. We keep playing international cricket, but the amount of pressure in an India vs Pakistan match, that kind of pressure you dont feel anywhere else, Kaur told Sony Sports Network. India have now become accustomed to high-pressure games and even wins, but Kaur acknowledged that the India-Pakistan game has a different air to it with every Indian watching. In fact, you might play many big matches, but you dont feel that kind of pressure. Somewhere we know every Indian is watching, not only cricket fans but every Indian is watching because that match is so important for all of us, she said. Kaur detailed that while the pressure remains on the back of the players' minds, their primary focus lies on following the process and not thinking about just the win. I think as a captain and as a player I try to keep things very simple, very easy. Only focus on cricket, focus on our aims, focus on our routines because when you follow your routines you will always get the results. So, I think results come later, but before that, every moment, whatever things we need to do, its better to focus on those rather than just putting pressure that you have to win the match. The idea always is not to think too far into the future but to be in the present and try to give your best. Whatever the demand is from the team, make our game plan accordingly, she said. Kaur detailed that while the pressure remains on the back of the players' minds, their primary focus lies on following the process and not thinking about just the win. I think as a captain and as a player I try to keep things very simple, very easy. Only focus on cricket, focus on our aims, focus on our routines because when you follow your routines you will always get the results. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Now, we are coming off the win at Lords and have also won many games on the trot, so the team has already tasted success and will be hungry for more. The best thing is, everybody in the team talks about how to win a match, how to win tournaments. So when you have that kind of culture, you always feel motivated, and you really look forward to going for any tournament. So this tournament is very important, and I am sure we will play as a team and once again will make our country proud, she said. Article Source: IANS
They Have A World-class Attack: Former Pacer Shaun Tait Hails Bangladesh Pacers After Australia Tour
The Daily Star: Former Australia pacer and ex-Bangladesh fast-bowling coach Shaun Tait believes Bangladeshs pace attack has emerged as a major strength and can help the team achieve greater consistency in Test cricket, following their impressive 1-1 series in Australia. Bangladesh began the two-Test series with a stunning nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin before the hosts responded with an innings-and-51-run win in Mackay. Tait, who was associated with the Bangladesh team for a year, said the result in Darwin did not completely surprise him given the quality of the pace resources available to the Tigers. The first Test match was fantastic. I knew that the team would be competitive, but I didnt know they were going to win Obviously, they had some challenges in the second Test match, which I thought would happen as well. Bangladesh came away from Australia with a Test victory, and you cant ask for much more than that, Tait said in an interview with The Daily Star. The former Australia international felt the conditions in Darwin played an important role in the opening Test, while Bangladeshs bowlers made the most of the opportunity. Because its a green seamer. Australia play most of their cricket down south of Darwin. They're hard wickets, and theyre usually pretty good for batting. But this wicket up there was really different. I think the toss of the coin was a big one, and Bangladesh responded with a really good bowling attack, he said. On the outside, it definitely is a big upset, but because I was with the Bangladesh team for the last year, I wasnt completely shocked, he added. Tait also highlighted the depth in Bangladeshs fast-bowling pool, pointing out that the team can call upon several capable pacers even when key players are unavailable. I think with Bangladesh, you could pick any of the seven, eight fast bowlers in that country and theyre all going to be competitive. Even though Shoriful wasnt there or Rana wasnt there, Taskin , Ebadot and Hasan have recently played Test cricket. On the sidelines, Khaled is there, so there are plenty of options for Bangladesh, he said. Bangladeshs pace attack made a strong impression during the tour. Shoriful Islam claimed 7-48 in the second Test in Mackay, while Hasan Mahmud also played a key role in the teams bowling effort. According to Tait, Bangladeshs improvement has also been reflected in the teams growing reliance on fast bowling, rather than traditionally depending heavily on spin. Absolutely. Its slowly getting better. Like, they have a lot more priority. Bangladesh are understanding now that its not just about spin bowling or spin wickets or the batsman. Its like youve got a whole bunch of fast bowlers, and the entire world of cricket is talking about your fast bowlers, he said. Whether T20, white-ball or red-ball, they have a world-class attack. I was really lucky to spend that one year with the national team. I enjoyed my time, and I think they will have some more victories coming in the future, he added. Absolutely. Its slowly getting better. Like, they have a lot more priority. Bangladesh are understanding now that its not just about spin bowling or spin wickets or the batsman. Its like youve got a whole bunch of fast bowlers, and the entire world of cricket is talking about your fast bowlers, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I think the main thing is can they be consistent now and whether they can stay there. What they have done is fantastic, but the biggest challenge is how long they can stay there and, for the next three-four years, whether they can compete all the time. Not just a game in a year, but all the time, he said. Article Source: IANS
Sri Lanka were left fuming after losing the wicket of nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya on the final ball of Day 2, as umpire Ahsan Raza gave a tight call in India's favour.
IND vs SL Day 3: Prasidh Krishna takes 3-35 as Sri Lanka reaches 130-4 at lunch
Pasindu Sooriyabandara posted an unbeaten half-century before Indias Prasidh Krishna ended a promising partnership to leave Sri Lanka at 130/4 at lunch on Day 3
ICC Statement On Yashasvi Jaiswal, Asitha Fernando Clash Triggers Social Media Debate
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday fined Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando and India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal 25 per cent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct
We Are Well Covered In All Departments: Bhatinda Royals Batting Coach Manish Bhatia
Punjab T20 League: Bhatinda Royals have assembled a balanced squad for the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League and will be aiming to make a strong impact in the tournament as batting coach expressed confidence in the team's combination saying the team is well covered in all departments. He also highlighted the importance of having experienced players such as India international Gurnoor Brar in the squad. In a winning team, a strong bowling attack is very important, and I feel we are well covered in that department. We have our captain and India player Gurnoor Brar, along with left-arm pacer Ashwini, who has been part of the Mumbai Indians setup. We also have several all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball, which gives us a very balanced bowling unit. Bhatia also believes the Royals have enough firepower in the batting department. We have some very talented batters who have represented Punjab at different age-group levels. Our vice-captain, Uday Saharan, is the backbone of this team. He is in excellent form, and his presence gives a lot of confidence to the entire squad. Overall, I think we have a very good combination. The batting coach was particularly optimistic about Saharan's prospects and believes the youngster is one of the players to watch in the tournament. Last year, we made Uday Saharan the captain of Punjab, and he continues to lead the side. He is already an experienced leader in red-ball cricket and has shown great maturity at a young age. If there is one player to watch out for in this tournament, it is Uday Saharan. I genuinely believe he has a bright future ahead of him. He can win matches for us and will continue to play an important role for Punjab cricket in the years to come. Bhatia also praised the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League for providing a platform to young cricketers and helping strengthen Punjab's cricketing structure. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League can play a huge role in the growth of Punjab cricket. It gives young players an opportunity to showcase their talent and compete alongside experienced cricketers. Bhatia also praised the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League for providing a platform to young cricketers and helping strengthen Punjab's cricketing structure. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We have already started our practice sessions, and the players have looked very sharp. Their attitude and performances in training have given us confidence that we have selected a strong squad. We are committed to identifying and developing young talent, and I believe this tournament will help many players take the next step in their careers. Article Source: IANS
India fallen behind in WTC final race, but can't be written off, says Rahul Dravid
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid believes that the Shubman Gill-led side still has a slight chance to qualify for the World Test Championship final. However, he acknowledged the fact that theres little margin for error during the remainder of the 2025-27 cycle. The side is currently fifth on the WTC points table and has eight more Tests to play. They need at least six wins from those matches to keep hopes of reaching the final alive.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi picked up two wickets in one over in a Duleep Trophy quarter-final
England add Sonny Baker to squad for second Test vs Pak
England have called up pacer Sonny Baker to their squad for the second ICC World Test Championship clash against Pakistan, replacing Brydon Carse, who has been omitted while the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) investigates an incident from the weekend.
Melbourne Stars Appoint Yorkshires Richard Pyrah As WBBL Coach
The Melbourne Stars: The Melbourne Stars have turned to Yorkshire womens head coach Richard Pyrah to steer their WBBL side, with the 43-year-old Englishman set to take charge ahead of Weber WBBL 12 as the club reshapes its coaching structure. Pyrah arrives with experience spanning womens and mens cricket in both England and Australia. He is currently in his third season in charge of Yorkshires womens team and has also recently completed his first campaign as an assistant coach with Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred. His appointment also brings a familiar face back into the Big Bash environment. Pyrah previously worked in Australian domestic cricket as a consultant coach with the Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers mens teams between 2015 and 2017. Melbourne Stars general manager James Rosengarten said Pyrahs breadth of experience and ability to build relationships made him an ideal fit for the clubs womens program. We are really excited to have Richard leading our WBBL program at the Melbourne Stars. He is an experienced coach across both womens and mens programs and will bring a diverse skillset to the team. Richard has been able to build really strong relationships within the teams he has coached and is already familiar with a number of our players, Rosengarten said in a club statement. The Stars have simultaneously altered the role of Andy Christie, who guided the side to the WBBL finals last season. Christie, who is also Victorias current womens head coach, will move into an assistant coaching position under Pyrah. The restructuring is designed to retain continuity within the program while adding Pyrah's experience at the top of the coaching group. Christie already works with several Stars players through the Victorian women's setup. This move is all about strengthening our club. Andy did a sensational job last season guiding our team to the WBBL finals, and having him remain a part of the program was important to us. He already coaches a number of our players across the Victorian womens team, so to have that continuity leading into the WBBL season will be an asset for us, Rosengarten added. The restructuring is designed to retain continuity within the program while adding Pyrah's experience at the top of the coaching group. Christie already works with several Stars players through the Victorian women's setup. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories After moving into coaching, he took on consultancy positions within the England and Wales Cricket Board system before working his way into senior roles with Yorkshire's men's side, including spells as both head coach and assistant coach. Article Source: IANS
'It'll Be Great Run If They Can Qualify From Here': Rahul Dravid On India's WTC Final Chances
World Test Championship: Former India cricketer Rahul Dravid broke down India's chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final as the Shubman Gill-led team looks to make a push for the top two spots. India are on a mission to book a place in next year's June final at The Oval and are in a mid-table battle with several stakeholders looking to stake their claim. Former India coach Dravid, who oversaw India's run to the final in 2023, hoped that the team could make it to the final. He was aware of the mid-table muddle India find themselves in and sounded realistic when he opined that it would be great if they could make it to the top two with tough assignments coming up against New Zealand and Australia. I'm hoping they do. It'll be a great run if India can qualify for the WTC final from here. They've fallen behind a little bit, but the kind of quality that the Indian team has, you're not going to write them off at any stage, Dravid told JioStar. India have started their mission well in Sri Lanka. Coming to the island nation, India, who are ranked fifth currently, needed to win eight of their last nine Tests to stay in contention for the final. They have ticked the first win in Galle and are gunning for their second in Colombo. However, tough away Tests against New Zealand and home against Australia await the two-time finalists. They started well against Sri Lanka, so that's a good first step. Hopefully, they can keep the guys fit and not have a lot of injuries over the next few months. Australia will be really exciting. A lot of their players will be very keen to do well in India. That's a generation of truly great Australian players, a great Australian team that has not won in India. So they'll be keen to do that. New Zealand away, always a challenge. Tough team, New Zealand, to play away from home, he added. India have started their mission well in Sri Lanka. Coming to the island nation, India, who are ranked fifth currently, needed to win eight of their last nine Tests to stay in contention for the final. They have ticked the first win in Galle and are gunning for their second in Colombo. However, tough away Tests against New Zealand and home against Australia await the two-time finalists. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India stand fifth in the WTC standings with a PCT of 53.33. They stand behind Bangladesh, who tally a PCT of 55.56 after their 1-1 draw in Australia. India will take the fourth spot if they beat Sri Lanka in Colombo and then can push for the top three, which is currently occupied by Australia (80 PCT), South Africa (75 PCT) and New Zealand (72.22 PCT). Article Source: IANS
'India Have Fallen Behind': Rahul Dravid's Big WTC Reality Check
Currently placed fifth in the points table, two-time finalists India are locked in an uphill battle to win the majority of their remaining matches in the World Test Championship 2025-2027 and move up
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi picks two wickets in four balls in Duleep Trophy | WATCH
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made an immediate impact with the ball on Day 3 of the first quarter-final between East Zone and North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru . He failed to make it count with the ball, but the 15-year-old, who is also serving as East Zone vice-captain, claimed two wickets in four deliveries to put North East Zone under pressure. Kishan Lyngdoh and Imliwati Lemtur became his victims during the 28th over.
Why Rishabh Pant Did Not Take Field On Day 3 Of 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka? Explained
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant did not take the field on Day 3 of the second Test, with Dhruv Jurel donning the gloves for India.
Prasidh Krishna's fiery spell leaves Sri Lanka at 130/4
Prasidh Krishna's hostile spell helped India keep Sri Lanka under pressure on Day 3, despite Pasindu Sooriyabandara's maiden Test half-century in Colombo.
2nd Test: Prasidh Strikes Twice As SL Reach 130/4 At Lunch In Colombo
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground: Prasidh Krishna produced two crucial breakthroughs to keep India in the contest as Sri Lanka reached 130/4 at lunch on Day 3 of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Tuesday, with the hosts showing greater resistance after losing two wickets late on the previous evening and Pasindu Sooriyabandara completing a maiden Test half-century. Resuming at 8/2, Sri Lanka initially found runs easier to come by as Sooriyabandara and Kamil Mishara settled into their respective roles. Mishara was particularly positive, picking up boundaries square of the wicket, while Sooriyabandara looked increasingly assured against India's pace attack. Krishna, who had dismissed Lahiru Udara late on Monday, eventually struck again when he went short at Mishara. The Sri Lankan opener had already been troubled by the rising delivery, and another sharp ball climbed onto his gloves before Dhruv Jurel completed the catch behind the stumps. Mishara departed for 19, leaving Sri Lanka 35/3. The wicket brought Kamindu Mendis to the crease, and he and Sooriyabandara gradually shifted the momentum towards Sri Lanka. With India's spinners unable to exert sustained control, the pair attacked when opportunities arose and kept the scoreboard moving. Sooriyabandara, playing only his second Test innings after appearing as a concussion substitute in the first Test in Galle, grew in confidence. He repeatedly used the pace of the Indian quicks behind square and later took the attack to the spinners, finding boundaries with sweeps and lofted drives. Mendis also played positively, including a six off Manav Suthar, as the fourth-wicket pair put on 87 runs. Their partnership forced India captain Shubman Gill to return to Krishna, who had already bowled six overs in his first spell. The decision paid off at a crucial moment. With lunch approaching, Krishna returned to the attack and removed Mendis for 32 off 58 balls. The batter attempted to pull a short delivery but failed to keep it down, picking out Ravindra Jadeja at mid-wicket. The dismissal ended a partnership that had given Sri Lanka a foothold and left them at 122/4. Sooriyabandara, meanwhile, reached his maiden Test fifty shortly before the wicket. He brought up the milestone with a single off Ravindra Jadeja, having shown composure throughout his innings. He remained unbeaten on 65 off 93 balls at the interval. Dhananjaya de Silva joined him and immediately found the boundary, pulling Krishna through the leg side, but Sri Lanka still have considerable work ahead. They trail India's first-innings declaration of 503/9 by 377 runs. Krishna has been the standout bowler for India, returning 3-35 from nine overs at lunch, while Manav Suthar has claimed one wicket. The spinners, however, have struggled to exert the same control, allowing Sri Lanka to score freely during the middle phase of the session. Dhananjaya de Silva joined him and immediately found the boundary, pulling Krishna through the leg side, but Sri Lanka still have considerable work ahead. They trail India's first-innings declaration of 503/9 by 377 runs. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Brief Scores: India 503/9 in 138 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115 not out; Asitha Fernando 4-106, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-132) lead Sri Lanka 130/4 in 32 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 65; Prasidh Krishna 3-35, Manav Suthar 1-38) by 373 runs Article Source: IANS
England Star, Who Was Handcuffed After Nightclub Incident, Dropped From 2nd Test vs Pakistan
England have called up inexperienced pacer Sonny Baker to their squad for the second ICC World Test Championship clash against Pakistan, with Brydon Carse omitted from the 16-man group.
'It's Out Of My Comfort Zone And Exciting': Dravid On Being Co-owner In ETPL
European T20 Premier League: Former India cricketer and head coach Rahul Dravid has switched roles to be a co-owner of Dublin Guardians in the upcoming European T20 Premier League as he steps out of his comfort zone for something he finds exciting ahead. The inaugural edition of the ETPL kicks off on August 25 with significant Indian interest. Dravid is a franchise co-owner, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan is a co-founder of the European city-based league, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, and Vijay Shankar will be on the pitch playing for their teams. Speaking on why he joined the league, Dravid said some stalwarts are already on board and that he felt it would be an exciting job. There are some really good people to work with and be associated with the league as well. The Amsterdam Flames have Steve Waugh, someone I've always admired, and Jamie Dwyer setting up that team. Glenn Maxwell is part of one team, and even the league owners; just the passion that someone like Abhishek Bachchan has for the sport and the team that he has put up to set up the league felt like a good bunch of people trying to do something really nice, Dravid told JioStar. I thought, Why not get involved, do something slightly different? I've always been involved as a coach or as a player, but trying to set up things and appoint coaches and players and marketing and finance, stuff that is a little bit out of my comfort zone, is exciting nevertheless, he added. The 2024 T20 World Cup-winning coach then opined that Europe has a lot of talent and there is a chance to grow the sport more in the continent. I've always felt that there is a lot of talent and a lot of opportunity to grow the sport in Europe. It felt like the right platform to be able to grow the sport in Europe and to try and make an effort as a former cricketer to have more people participate in the game, recognising that cricket needs to grow and be available to a lot more boys and girls to be able to play the game, he added. Dravid also spoke on one of the most debated things in cricket currently. The growing interest in T20 cricket seems to have overshadowed the other formats. Dravid feels Test cricket is still the pinnacle of the sport, but T20 cricket is the driving force for growth in several nations. The 2024 T20 World Cup-winning coach then opined that Europe has a lot of talent and there is a chance to grow the sport more in the continent. I've always felt that there is a lot of talent and a lot of opportunity to grow the sport in Europe. It felt like the right platform to be able to grow the sport in Europe and to try and make an effort as a former cricketer to have more people participate in the game, recognising that cricket needs to grow and be available to a lot more boys and girls to be able to play the game, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories From there, once you're able to get people involved in the game, then you can start thinking about putting things in place to see if there's an opportunity to grow the longer formats of the game in this part of the world. But when you're starting, when you're trying to take your early steps, I think the T20 format's the perfect format, he added. Article Source: IANS
Pakistan women's team play T20 matches against men's side to prepare for Asia Cup 2026
Pakistans womens cricket team have used an unconventional method to sharpen their preparation for the Womens Asia Cup . Captain Fatima Sana revealed that her team played a T20 series against the mens side before leaving for Dubai for the continental tournament.
Rahul Dravid: India have fallen behind in WTC final race
Former head coach Rahul Dravid believes India have 'fallen behind' in the World Test Championship final qualification race, highlighting the upcoming New Zealand series as a significant challenge for the young team.
Sri Lanka Labelled 'Unprofessional' After Late Drama With Umpires In 2nd Test vs India
Sri Lanka was at the receiving end of some scathing criticism from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar
Sri Lanka replace injured Vihanga with Meepage for Women's T20 Asia Cup
Vihanga picked up a right-knee injury during a practice game, and did not fly to the UAE
Krishna: Aggression is in my bowling, not my demeanour
Indian seamer Prasidh Krishna clarified that his aggression manifests through his intense and disciplined bowling, not his on-field behaviour, emphasising his adaptability to pitch conditions and team requirements.
Williams-Alcaraz duo to begin U.S. Open mixed doubles against womens champ
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will begin their U.S. Open mixed doubles campaign against Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool, with the matchup marking Williams first appearance at the tournament since 2022
Aakash Chopra Reacts To Harsha Bhogle's Remarks On Yashasvi Jaiswal Incident
The ex-India star noted that Yashasvi Jaiswal has faced banter and send-offs in the ongoing Test series, some of which cross the line, and suggested that both perspectives have merit.
New Delhi: Former captain Michael Vaughan has called for a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team after Brydon Carse became the latest England cricketer involved in a drinking controversy. A video emerged where Carse was seen handcuffed by police outside a nightclub, and was briefly placed under arrest on a night out with his Durham team-mates Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts, which prompted an investigation from the ECB. Carse was part of the England squad for two of the three Tests against Pakistan at home but was released to play for Durham in the County Championship after he was not picked in the opener at Leeds. He picked 2-82 and scored 26 runs for his domestic side, helping them beat Derbyshire in three days. He went out to celebrate with his teammates when the incident occurred. As result of the incident, The ECB said that the speedster will no longer be available for selection for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday . He will be replaced by Hampshire right-arm pacer Sonny Baker in the squad. Speaking about the incident BBC Radio 5 Live, Vaighan called for stict punishment for misbehaving or bringing any kind of bad reputation to the team. Someone is going to have to get a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team and right down through the programme, so that everyone knows that if you misbehave or bring any kind of bad reputation on to this team, you know what's going to come, former England captain Vaughan said. It's the only punishment that will really hurt players. Carse case is a latets edition in England cricket's list of ngiht club incidences. Last October, England white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, with team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue also present. During the Ashes tour of Australia, opener Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk on England's holiday in Noosa. And in June, former Test captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew and were present when a member of England's security staff was punched by a Saracens rugby player in a London nightclub. Carse case is a latets edition in England cricket's list of ngiht club incidences. Last October, England white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, with team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue also present. During the Ashes tour of Australia, opener Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk on England's holiday in Noosa. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I would feel for Carse if he is the one who takes the rap for what has happened over the past nine months, but somewhere, somehow, something has to be done to set a precedent that they won't stand for that behaviour any more, said Vaughan. Article Source: IANS
Vaughan Calls For Punishment That 'sends A Shiver Down England Team' After Latest Nightclub Incident
New Delhi: Former captain Michael Vaughan has called for a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team after Brydon Carse became the latest England cricketer involved in a drinking controversy. A video emerged where Carse was seen handcuffed by police outside a nightclub, and was briefly placed under arrest on a night out with his Durham team-mates Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts, which prompted an investigation from the ECB. Carse was part of the England squad for two of the three Tests against Pakistan at home but was released to play for Durham in the County Championship after he was not picked in the opener at Leeds. He picked 2-82 and scored 26 runs for his domestic side, helping them beat Derbyshire in three days. He went out to celebrate with his teammates when the incident occurred. As result of the incident, The ECB said that the speedster will no longer be available for selection for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday . He will be replaced by Hampshire right-arm pacer Sonny Baker in the squad. Speaking about the incident BBC Radio 5 Live, Vaighan called for stict punishment for misbehaving or bringing any kind of bad reputation to the team. Someone is going to have to get a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team and right down through the programme, so that everyone knows that if you misbehave or bring any kind of bad reputation on to this team, you know what's going to come, former England captain Vaughan said. It's the only punishment that will really hurt players. Carse case is a latets edition in England cricket's list of ngiht club incidences. Last October, England white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, with team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue also present. During the Ashes tour of Australia, opener Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk on England's holiday in Noosa. And in June, former Test captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew and were present when a member of England's security staff was punched by a Saracens rugby player in a London nightclub. Carse case is a latets edition in England cricket's list of ngiht club incidences. Last October, England white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, with team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue also present. During the Ashes tour of Australia, opener Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk on England's holiday in Noosa. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I would feel for Carse if he is the one who takes the rap for what has happened over the past nine months, but somewhere, somehow, something has to be done to set a precedent that they won't stand for that behaviour any more, said Vaughan. Article Source: IANS
India Can Win By An Innings vs Sri Lanka In 2nd Test. Cheteshwar Pujara Explains How
India are in a very comfortable position in the second Test against Sri Lanka. Coming into Day 3, India had already reduced Sri Lanka to two down in the first innings after putting 503 on the board
England pacer Brydon Carse was arrested briefly on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre on Saturday night. However, he was released shortly after agreeing to leave the area, according to Derbyshire...
After his second Test century, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel spoke on his 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan' tattoo following the conclusion of day two play against Sri Lanka at Colombo, calling it a tribute to his roots.
Yorkshire's Richard Pyrah named new Melbourne Stars WBBL coach
Pyrah takes over from Andy Christie who moves into an assistant role
Flop Performances Led To Yashasvi Jaiswal's On-Field Spat? Ex-India Star Gives Big Verdict
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has become the centre of attention following his on-field altercation with Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando.
Watch: Virender Sehwag's Son Aryavir Recreates Father's Magic In DPL, Fans Stunned
Currently representing West Delhi Lions in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), Aryavir Sehwag recently gave fans a glimpse of his father's batting style.
Duleep Trophy Quarter-Finals Day 3, Live Updates: East Zone Eyes Big Victory vs North East Zone
Duleep Trophy Quarter-Finals Day 3, Live Updates: North East Zone will be resuming their second innings from 7/0 on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy, quarterfinal match against East Zone in Bengaluru.
Matthew Hayden Names 'Perfect' Head Coach For CSK. He's Indian, But Not MS Dhoni
Legendary Australia opener and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Matthew Hayden suggested that the franchise needs to get a local coach.
On his Duleep Trophy debut, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hid half of his jersey number with tape, sparking speculation.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 3 Weather Update: Rain To Play Major Role In Colombo?
India are currently in a commanding position in the second Test match against Sri Lanka but weather can play a major role on Day 3.
India's Sriram Balaji, Anirud Chandrasekar crowned Cancun Country Open Doubles title
The champions earned 125 ranking points along with a $9,900 prize, while the runners-up received 75 points and $5,760
Playing Test cricket is a privilege: Jurel
When Sri Lanka turned up for the first innings, Dhruv Jurel donned the wicket-keeping gloves
Cummins eyes ODI return ahead of big South Africa Test series
The next assignment for Australia after drawing a two-Test series against Bangladesh are three ODIs in Zimbabwe and another three in South Africa in late September
New normal dawning for England after Carse night out
Players are under more scrutiny from general public than ever before - and they only have themselves to blame
Rain plays spoilsport again; Kovai Kings progress to TNPL Qualifier 2
'Muttiah Muralitharan, Daniel Vettori Helped Improve My Bowling': SRH Star Zeeshan Ansari
Zeeshan Ansari's long wait for a return to red-ball cricket has been fuelled by the lessons he picked up during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad last year, where he had the opportunity to work alongside spin greats Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori.
How Zeeshan Ansari rebuilt his career after IPL stint
Indian cricketer Zeeshan Ansari attributes his red-ball cricket resurgence to the invaluable lessons learned from spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
