Shubman Gill Is Very Much Ready For The Test Match At Galle, Says Sairaj Bahutule
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Indias spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule confirmed that captain Shubman Gills absence from the first two days of the warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka Cricket XI was purely a precautionary measure and added that the right-handed batter is fully fit and ready for the first Test in Galle starting on August 15. Gill, who opted to sit out of the first two days due to an impact injury on his right ring finger during a practice session on Thursday, returned to open the batting in the second innings and looked fluent during his 44-run knock. I think it was just a precaution more than anything else and he has been absolutely fine. He has been doing his training and the management decided that we could just take that precaution of not putting him into that first day. I think everything, the way he batted in the second inning was again flawless and he is very much ready for the Test match, Bahutule said in the post-game press conference. Highlighting the skippers analytical preparation for the Test series in the island nation, Bahutule noted that Gill leaves nothing to chance when preparing for specific opposition bowling line-ups. I think Shubman takes his preparation very seriously and he is a very meticulous boy. He understands that whatever is the demand for that particular series with the attack, which has been successful for the Sri Lankan team, his preparation is done accordingly. So, the net bowlers who have come with us, they have a good opportunity to bowl Shubman and we were doing a few scenarios with which Shubman was responding. I think this helps him to prepare and that was our effort. Speaking about giving batting time to pacers Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj, who unleashed big hits with the bat in the fag end of the innings, Bahutule stated its a part of the plan to get batting contributions from them in the Test series. The lower order bowlers, as you saw, Gurnoor and Sairaj did a good batting time. So, there is a process. All the lower order bowlers, who basically bat in lower order, their contribution will always be very useful to achieve a good total in the Test match and that is the entire process. We are encouraging them to bat as much as possible in the nets and see how they can contribute towards the team score. Left-handed top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal also impressed during the fixture, scoring a stroke-filled, unbeaten 142 in the first innings to push his case for inclusion in the starting eleven, especially with B Sai Sudharsan ruled out due to right big toe stress reaction. I think whoever gets that opportunity, Devdutt got this opportunity. He expressed himself. He batted beautifully and he is ready to (play). Whatever the decision, once we go to Galle, we will see the pitch and whatever decision has to be taken, it will be (done). But he has got those runs behind him. He has got the confidence behind him. Now, whether we take it, or whether he gets into the 11 is something which we will decide only at Galle, he noted. Currently sitting in fifth place on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, India face a vital assignment in Sri Lanka as they look to climb the standings and keep themselves in contention for securing a berth in the final. But he has got those runs behind him. He has got the confidence behind him. Now, whether we take it, or whether he gets into the 11 is something which we will decide only at Galle, he noted. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The only thing is that, as you said, it is process oriented. We will see one game at a time. See how we can play the series to our potential and win it and slowly and steadily get there, concluded Bahutule. Article Source: IANS
Sarfaraz Khan replaces injured Sai Sudharsan, back in Test squad
Mumbai batter included in Indias team for two-match series in Sri Lanka
Sarfaraz Khan named Sai Sudharsan's replacement for Sri Lanka Tests
Meawhile captain Shubman Gill is
Warm-up Fixture Against SLC XI Offered Ideal Preparation Ahead Of Test Series, Says Bahutule
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Indias spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule expressed satisfaction with the teams preparation following the conclusion of their three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, which they won by six wickets, adding that the spin unit made full use of the outing to adapt to local conditions ahead of the upcoming Test series. The first Test of the two-match series between India and Sri Lanka starts in Galle on August 15. In the warm-up game at the NCC Ground, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain bowled 15, 18, 13 and 11 overs in the first innings, before the quartet collectively bowled 27 overs in the second innings. In both innings, Jadeja picked two wickets each. Firstly, I think the bowlers had a great opportunity to go down and express themselves on a pitch which was slightly on a flatter side on the first day. But as the days went by, there was more turn on to it and definitely a good outing for the spinners. Kuldeep bowled almost 20 overs in the sense - 18 in the match and about 2-3 overs before the game also, Bahutule said in the post-game press conference. Elaborating on the workload management of left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep, who arrived after playing five One-day games for Yorkshire in England, Bahutule noted that he and every bowler managed to get sufficient overs under their belt. He had a very good outing and he just wanted to take a break in terms of just understanding how his body is at and the rest of the spinners got that opportunity and they bowled their overs. One bowled 14, Manav bowled about 14-15 overs, Jaddu bowled about 14-15 overs. So, they got a very good outing, they understood how the pitch reacts and I think it was a great prep for them, he added. Highlighting the importance of early arrival and thorough acclimatisation before a major overseas assignment, the former India leg-spinner pointed out that early preparation is crucial for players who are touring Sri Lanka for the first time. I think preparation is a very integral part of coming on any tour. The reason of us coming at this particular juncture is to make sure that we adapt to the conditions, and understand how the pitches are. Few of the guys have come here, experienced guys, Jaddu has already played here. But the new guys like Manav and the few others, Saransh Jain, they need to just adapt to what will be the ideal lines, ideal lengths and obviously the field sets, which is very much important. I think this helps in our preparation to get into the Galle Test match and I think they used the three days brilliantly. Bahutule also praised Sri Lanka Cricket for providing competitive opposition and proper game time for the visiting squad. I just said earlier also that it's all about adaptation. Whenever there is a series, if you get that opportunity to go early and just understand the conditions and spend time in the center like what we got this opportunity. We really need to thank the Sri Lankan board also. They put up a good team against us and everybody could go there and bat and bowl and spend time on the field because in conditions like these, you need to really go out there and field for 90 overs, bat for different amount of sessions and once you adapt to that, then the preparation is much better for any Test match you are playing. Addressing questions around the final make-up of spin bowling line-up for the first Test, Bahutule said the team management will evaluate choices after reaching the venue. I think that call will be taken only once we reach Galle. But all 4 spinners have that uniqueness. We have got experience with Jaddu. We have got great accuracy levels with Manoj Suthar and obviously, Saransh has got experience. He has performed really well in domestic cricket and that is how he has earned his spot. That experience will help us in making the decision if it is needed. Kuldeep, being a wrist spinner, it always helps to have a wrist spinner in the side. So that there is variety and all the four bowlers are looking forward to the Test match. So, we will decide only once we reach Galle. Addressing questions around the final make-up of spin bowling line-up for the first Test, Bahutule said the team management will evaluate choices after reaching the venue. I think that call will be taken only once we reach Galle. But all 4 spinners have that uniqueness. We have got experience with Jaddu. We have got great accuracy levels with Manoj Suthar and obviously, Saransh has got experience. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think the decision will be taken shortly. But generally, I think maybe they will be there till the first test match. Because the Duleep Trophy and all these tournaments are starting back home, so, they need to prepare for that as well, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI Warm-Up Game: Shubman Gill-Led Team India's Report Card
Team India had the ideal preparation under its belt ahead of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, with the Shubman Gill-led side defeating Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets in a three-day warm-up game on Sunday.
Sarfaraz Khan Returns For Sri Lanka Tests, Replaces Injured India Star
Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan on Sunday replaced the injured Sai Sudharsan in Team India's squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 15.
Diksha, Aditi Stay Inside Top-20 At London Championship
Ladies European Tour Order: Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok remained inside the Top-20 after the third round of the $2 million PIF London Championship at Centurion Club on Saturday, while Pranavi Urs slipped down the leaderboard following a difficult outing. Diksha, a carded a 1-over 72 to move up three places from tied-22nd to tied-19th. She stands at 1-under 215 after 54 holes, having opened the tournament with rounds of 75 and 70. Aditi, meanwhile, followed her opening rounds of 71 and 73 with another 73 to remain tied-19th. She had started the day tied-16th. Pranavi had been the leading Indian after the opening two rounds, climbing to tied-12th following rounds of 71 and 72. However, a 6-over 78 in the third round dropped her to tied-38th at 5-over 221. Diksha, currently the highest-ranked Indian on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, will now look to close the tournament strongly in the final round. At the top of the leaderboard, Canadas Anna Huang strengthened her grip on the tournament with a bogey-free 8-under 65. The 18-year-old moved to 19-under and opened up a three-shot advantage over Englands Charley Hull heading into the final round. Huang, a three-time LET winner who secured her third title in May, has led the tournament from the opening round. She began her third round with a birdie on the first hole and added another on the fourth before producing back-to-back birdies on the eighth and ninth. She repeated the feat on the 14th and 15th before ending her round in spectacular fashion with an eagle on the 18th for the third successive day. A victory in London would see Huang become the youngest player to win four LET titles. She repeated the feat on the 14th and 15th before ending her round in spectacular fashion with an eagle on the 18th for the third successive day. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the title race headed for a final-round showdown, the Indian trio will look to finish their campaigns strongly, with Diksha and Aditi positioned inside the Top-20 and Pranavi aiming to recover from her third-round setback. Article Source: IANS
Sarfaraz Khan named Sai Sudharsan's replacement for two-match Test series against Sri Lanka
Mumbai star batter Sarfaraz Khan has been named as the replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan in India's squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, the Board of Control for Cricket in India...
Was Supposed To Be India Head Coach, Could Not Take Up Due To Personal Reasons: VVS Laxman
BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman revealed that he was offered the role of Team India head coach back in 2023, but could not take it up for personal reasons.
BCCI To Consider Relocating Duleep Trophy Final To Stadium
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that the board is considering relocating the Duleep Trophy final from the Centre of Excellence to a stadium due to spectator restrictions.
India Needed 16 Off Last Over. Mohammed Siraj Does The Unthinkable - Watch
Mohammed Siraj boasted of his batting skills to help India register a thrilling win over Sri Lanka Cricket XI in a three-day warm-up game.
'Is V V S Laxman hinting at moving on from BCCI CoE?'
VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence, expressed satisfaction with the centre's progress over the past two years but remained non-committal about his future role amidst speculation he might become the chief selector.
India Need 16 Off Last Over. Mohammed Siraj Does The Unthinkable - Watch
Mohammed Siraj boasted of his batting skills to help India register a thrilling win over Sri Lanka Cricket XI in a three-day warm-up game.
Number of Duleep Trophy games telecast will be increased: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia
Afghanistan out to secure their World Cup spot
Rahmat Shah's men are just one win away from making the 2027 ODI World Cup
Gill and Jaiswal get in their drills ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
India's key batters got some good time in the middle in Colombo practice game
Village Talent Will Now Get A Platform: Ramandeep Hails Sher-e-Punjab T20 League
Punjab T20 League: Cricketer Ramandeep Singh believes the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League will provide a much-needed platform for talented cricketers from villages across the state, allowing them to showcase their abilities in front of a wider audience. Speaking on the sidelines of the player auction for the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 League in Chandigarh on Sunday, Ramandeep said the league would help bridge the gap between emerging players at the grassroots level and the wider cricketing audience. Earlier, I think, the talent did not get a chance to come on TV because only the IPL and international-level cricket were telecast. Now, with the league initiative started by Punjab Cricket, we are very thankful to the Punjab government and especially the PCA, because they have given us this platform where talent from the villages will be seen on TV, Ramandeep told reporters. The player auction is currently underway at a hotel in Chandigarh, with more than 450 cricketers going under the hammer for six franchises. Each team has a purse of Rs 45 lakh for the auction. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League will feature six teams and is scheduled to be played from August 30 to September 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali. Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjit Singh Mehta said the league was the fulfilment of a vision to take sport to every part of the state. This league was the dream of our Chief Minister. He wanted to build a big league for Punjab, and his dream is going to come true today. He wanted to bring sports to every village in Punjab, Mehta said. The entire Punjab Cricket Association team worked together to bring this league to this level. There are six teams in the league, featuring marquee players, icon players and district players. The opening ceremony will be held on August 30 and the closing ceremony on September 13, he added. Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, Ramandeep Singh and young pacer Gurnoor Brar have been named the marquee players for the six franchises. The entire Punjab Cricket Association team worked together to bring this league to this level. There are six teams in the league, featuring marquee players, icon players and district players. The opening ceremony will be held on August 30 and the closing ceremony on September 13, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The league is expected to provide emerging players with an opportunity to share the stage with established names from Punjab and gain exposure through televised matches. Article Source: IANS
There is brilliant coordination between CoE and Indian team management, insists Laxman
Former India cricketer picks standout player for team India ahead of Sri Lanka Test series
The Indian team is all set to take on Sri Lanka in a two-game Test series. The two sides will meet at the Galle International Stadium from August 15th, and ahead of the series, there...
Litchfield's 22-ball 50 keeps Sunrisers alive - and knocks Fire out
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The Start Of A Truly Special Journey: Kumble Marks 36 Years Since India Debut
ICC Cricket Hall: Former India spinner Anil Kumble on Sunday marked 36 years since his international debut for India, looking back on the August 9, 1990 Test against England in Manchester where he claimed Allan Lamb as his first international wicket and began a career that would eventually make him India's most successful Test bowler. Kumble, who received his India Test cap as player number 192, used the anniversary to reflect on the significance of that first appearance and the career that followed. It was 36 years ago today that I received my first Test Cap as player number 192 for India. Taking the wicket of Allan Lamb was the start of a truly special journey, one that I cherish deeply to this day. I am incredibly grateful for this journey and everyone who has been a part it, Kumble wrote on X. The former India captain's international career began during the second Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. He bowled 43 overs in England's first innings, taking 3 wickets for 105 runs, including Lamb. In the second innings, he bowled 17 more overs but did not take any additional wickets. Kumble amassed 619 wickets over 132 Tests, the most by an Indian in the format. His 337 wickets from 271 ODIs brought his total international wickets to 953, setting another Indian record. His career featured one of Test cricket's rarest feats. In the 1999 Delhi Test versus Pakistan, Kumble became just the second bowler after Jim Laker of England to take all 10 wickets in a single innings. Kumble amassed 619 wickets over 132 Tests, the most by an Indian in the format. His 337 wickets from 271 ODIs brought his total international wickets to 953, setting another Indian record. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kumble also served as India's head coach from 2016 to 2017, guiding the team to Test series wins against the West Indies, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, and Australia. In 2015, he achieved one of the highest honours by being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Article Source: IANS
IPL Teams Pressuring Indian Players To Play Despite Injuries, Claims BCCI Source
A source at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has expressed significant concerns regarding players competing in the Indian Premier League while injured, attributing this to franchise and financial pressures, which subsequently complicates their rehabilitation and return to international cricket.
Jaiswal, Gill get batting practice as India beat Sri Lanka XI by six wickets in warm-up
Chasing 207 for victory, India completed the target in 45 overs, finishing on 214 for four with Siraj smashing 32 off just 15 balls, including three successive sixes, to bring the game to an emphatic end
Jaiswal Hits 61, Siraj Slams Hat-trick Of Sixes As India Seal Six-wicket Win In Warm-up Game
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 61 while fast bowler Mohammed Siraj showcased his power-hitting capabilities by blasting a hat-trick of sixes to propel India to a thrilling six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Cricket XI on the third and final day of their warm-up fixture at the NCC Ground on Sunday. Chasing a target of 207 after Sri Lanka XI declared their second innings at 200/6, India required 23 runs off the final two overs in a race against time. Siraj, who finished unbeaten on 32 off just 15 balls, launched Sonal Dinusha for a maximum over the boundary in the 44th over before unleashing absolute carnage against Keshara Nuwantha in the 45th and final over of the day. Siraj smashed three consecutive sixes to different parts of the ground off Nuwantha to wrap up the chase in sensational fashion with three balls to spare and ensured India hit the bonus runs needed to complete their full quota of overs for the match. Earlier, the final day provided encouraging signs for India as regular skipper Shubman Gill returned to active action following an impact injury to his right ring finger sustained during Thursday's practice session. Gill, who sat out of the opening two days as a precautionary measure, walked out to open the second innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and looked at ease during an fluent knock of 44. His footwork against spin was particularly assured before he mistimed a lofted shot off Ramesh Mendis and was caught at fine leg. Jaiswal, who registered a duck in the first innings, struck a confident 61 before retiring hurt to give other batters crucial time in the middle. Rishabh Pant, who got out for two on Saturday, began in subdued fashion amassing only six runs off 25 balls in a deliberate effort to spend time at the crease. Dhruv Jurel (12) missed out after edging a short, wide delivery from left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando behind to the keeper. Pant would go on to hit a four and three sixes before falling for 28 off 68 balls. Experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja continued his sparkling form by breezing to a quickfire 22 in the second essay to complement his first-innings score of 63. Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, and Saransh Jain also got batting time in the middle before Siraj's explosive finish sealed the deal in Indias favour. In the morning session, after India declared their first innings at 357/6, Sri Lanka Cricket XI had resumed their second innings under overcast conditions, with Indian seamers taking advantage of early moisture. Siraj was the pick of the frontline pacers, providing an early breakthrough by dismissing opener Ravindu Rasantha with a characteristic wobble-seam delivery. Prasidh Krishna bowled with aggression and rattled the middle stump of Pasindu Sooriyabandara, while tall pacer Gurnoor Brar impressed with his extra bounce to account for Pavan Rathnanayake and captain Sonal Dinusha to finish with 2-38. Jadeja then chipped in with two late wickets, including of top-scorer Nipun Dhananjaya (46), who was stumped by Jurel after charging down the track. Nishan Madushka was the standout performer for the host side, completing his second half-century of the match with a crisp 63 off 73 balls before Sri Lanka XI declared at tea after 45 overs. Prasidh Krishna bowled with aggression and rattled the middle stump of Pasindu Sooriyabandara, while tall pacer Gurnoor Brar impressed with his extra bounce to account for Pavan Rathnanayake and captain Sonal Dinusha to finish with 2-38. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sri Lanka Cricket XI 363/8 dec and 200-6 dec (Nishan Madushka 63, Nipun Dhananjaya 46; Ravindra Jadeja 2-33, Gurnoor Brar 2-37) lost to India 357/6 dec and 214/4 in 45 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 61, Shubman Gill 44; Keshara Nuwantha 2-57, Vishwa Fernando 1-34) by six wickets Article Source: IANS
BCCI CoE still seeking Head of Sports Science amid injury concerns, says Laxman
VVS Laxman, chief of the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), confirmed that the search for a permanent Head of Sports Science and Medicine is ongoing, nearly 18 months after Nitin Patel's departure, despite mounting injury cases among Indian cricketers.
No miscommunication between BCCI CoE and Indian team management, says Laxman
The spate of injuries to India players has heightened the focus on the CoE's role even more because they continue to operate without a Head of Sports Science
'36 Years Ago Today': Spin Great Anil Kumble Reflects His First Test Wicket
Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble reflected on the 36th anniversary of his international debut, expressing deep gratitude for his 'truly special journey' that began with his first Test wicket, Allan Lamb.
The Indian team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027. There has been major discussion over what the Indian squad could look like for the upcoming World Cup. Ahead of...
Rigid RTP Benchmarks And Technology Key To Player Recovery At CoE, Says VVS Laxman
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: Amidst the list of injured players of the senior mens team in double digits at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, its head VVS Laxman on Sunday said that they must meet strict, data-driven fitness benchmarks and complete two Return To Play (RTP) matches before being cleared to rejoin national or domestic teams. Addressing reporters at the CoE facility here, Laxman detailed the multi-layered diagnostic and recovery setup that connects the BCCI with world-renowned medical specialists, as he pushed back against the criticism of its injury-management protocols. The process starts with diagnosing the injury and finishes with a player declared fit after the two RTP (Return To Play) matches we have. Diagnosing, obviously, wherever the player gets injured in whatever environment - if it's the Indian team, the Indian team physio understands the nature of the injury and then we've got experts and specialists with whom we have got a year-long connection. Dr Rowan (Schouten) is the one we go as far as stress fracture for the back is concerned. Dr Dinshaw (Pardiwala) is our go-to doctor in Mumbai for shoulder, knee, in fact a lot more injuries. Then we've got Dr Kini, who is a foot and ankle specialist. We've got Dr (Sudhir) Warrier, who is our hand and wrist specialist. Then we've got three doctors... one in England who takes care of the surgeries of the ankle, one doctor in Munich who takes care of the sports hernia, and one doctor in South Africa, provided if we wish to explore that. Now, we got three specialists and interventional radiologists, Dr. Muthukumar, Dr. Shrikant, and Dr. Kini, who are the ones who read the scans and tell what is there in the scans. So, that becomes the first part of diagnosing the injury. Once that diagnosis happens, then those players through the Indian team, SSM staff is sent to the CoE, he said. Laxman then explained how players transition from physical therapy to match readiness once they arrive at the CoE. From the time they come here, two things which we do: obviously we clinically examine and assess them. Based on that assessment, we know what is the plan of action for them to recover and go back and join the team. The physio plays a part, and once the player is ready for the next phase, which is your strength and conditioning, then the S&C comes and plays a part. Slowly they go to the skill part, and then we build up the load, and then we play two RTP matches before we declare the player fit. Now, what is important, as I mentioned, through the data we have, we know the benchmark of each and every player from the skill and fitness point of view. So until and unless that benchmark is not met, or in fact got better, we don't release. That's a benchmark we use to declare a player fit. The whole idea is that when he goes back to the Indian team, men and women, or wherever, including the state teams or whatever teams he is participating, he has to be up and running and from the first match, he has been able to perform to the best of his potential. Now, it's an objective way of assessing the player to move from one stage to the next stage and this is where I think it's very important to understand that the guidelines and the timelines are given based on what you expect. But it's human body. It is not a machine where the timelines will always be met. So, there is a continuous process of understanding how a player is progressing and based on that, the load is increased. So, that is a process from the time they are diagnosed with the injury to the time they leave the COE and declare fit, he explained. Turning his attention to workload management for fast bowlers via the AMS (Athlete Management System), Laxman revealed Again, through this technology, you understand the workload. All this is there on a regular basis on the AMS. Like, the bowling workload for a fast bowler and I think our learning is, the stress injuries or the injuries happen not because a fast bowler is bowling too much. It happens that a fast bowler is not bowling enough. I think that's a critical part for all of us to understand. So there's a sweet spot we have for each and every fast bowler across the contractor, the targeted and the under-19s and there's a weekly monitoring of that load. So you give them X number of deliveries which they have to bowl in a week and then through the GPS which the players wear, we get the information whether they have been able to fulfill that or not. So there is a lot of emphasis on monitoring the load and I think through technology to various tools, we monitor that. I think remote monitoring is something which is very, very critical and it's tough. But at the same time, it's an evolving thing for us in how to remotely monitor a player when he's not in front of us, he said. Laxman also dismissed reports suggesting that contracted Indian players were bypassing official setups to consult private fitness trainers during their injury rehabilitation. This is news to me and I think there's a lot of news which is happening. But as I told, the way we do is the Indian team S&C is responsible of keeping a track of the contracted players. The S&Cs at the CoE are responsible to keep a track of the targeted and the age-group players. Everything is there on the AMS. Everything, every session of the player is there on the AMS and that is why we use the GPS, where wherever the player is doing, whatever he is doing is documented out there. If you see the men and women team's trainer, Adrian (le Roux), he is a world class trainer. In 2002, I remember he was our first foreign fitness trainer. The quality of him has got no questions around his quality. So, I am sure he knows how to manage the contracted players. Now Nick (Lee) recently joined the Indian women's team. He is again a very experienced S&C professional. Again, all these professionals are not only experienced, but they are knowledgeable and understanding of each and every player in their respective group is there. So, I think the trust and the coordination between the S&C and the players, as far as my knowledge is concerned, is going on. So, if you are saying something else, that's news to me, Laxman asserted. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed questions regarding fan access for domestic fixtures held at the state-of-the-art campus, citing government land allocation rules that restrict spectator crowds on site. The CoE is set to host the season-opening Duleep Trophy from August 23. There are some restrictions when this land was allocated here that we cannot have crowd in this campus. So that is a government restriction. We cannot violate that. But very close persons of the team members, they can come. But this year, we have increased the number of matches to be telecasted live. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed questions regarding fan access for domestic fixtures held at the state-of-the-art campus, citing government land allocation rules that restrict spectator crowds on site. The CoE is set to host the season-opening Duleep Trophy from August 23. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We still have time. We'll look into that aspect. If required, we'll do that. But for the time being, what we have done, we have increased the number of matches which were telecasted prior to this year, which is very limited. We have enhanced the numbers now, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
VVS Laxman Lauds India Women's Team For 2025 World Cup Title, Calls It High Point Of His Tenure
Former India batter VVS Laxman on Sunday cited the transition to world-class infrastructure and the Indian women's team's historic 2025 ODI World Cup triumph.
Can't Take Decision On Our Own: BCCI Seeks Centre's Clearance For This Tour - Report
Cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh have taken a hit over the past year or so due to strained political ties.
Bhuvneshwar Keeps ODI WC Ambitions Grounded, Says cant Predict What Will Happen
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: India and Lucknow Falcons pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar refused to look too far ahead when asked about his chances of making the ODI World Cup squad, insisting that his immediate focus remains on playing and performing rather than predicting what the future may hold. I have to play, I am playing. I can't predict what will happen after that, Bhuvneshwar told IANS when asked if his recent performances in white-ball cricket, including the IPL and domestic competitions, could put him in contention for the ODI World Cup. The experienced pacer is set to lead the Lucknow Falcons in the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, which will get underway on August 14. For Bhuvneshwar, the tournament represents another opportunity to contribute on the field while helping the next generation of Uttar Pradesh cricketers navigate the demands of competitive cricket. The 24-day UPT20 Season 4 will feature 34 matches and, for the first time, will be staged across two cities. Lucknow will host the opening phase at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, with 22 matches scheduled across 13 matchdays, before the tournament moves to Green Park Stadium in Kanpur for the remaining 12 matches over 11 matchdays. Bhuvneshwar, who has been part of the league since its early years, believes the tournament has grown steadily and can serve as an important stepping stone for players aspiring to reach the IPL and, eventually, the national team. This is the fourth year of the league and every year we are seeing an improvement, be it the ability of the players, or the facilities provided by UPCA, or the way they carry out operations. I am sure theres a good future. I think every state is having a league, not just UPCA, he added. The veteran pacer sees the emergence of state T20 leagues as a positive development for domestic cricket. Of course, these leagues have a future. This is a big opportunity for all the players. If they do well, they might get to play at the IPL and eventually for the Indian team. So its a great opportunity, he stated. Bhuvneshwar said the focus within the Lucknow Falcons camp is less on elaborate match plans at this stage and more on ensuring players are mentally prepared and comfortable when they step onto the field. See, it hasn't started yet; practice is going on. Of course, there will be some strategy, some planning. But it is very important how you get into the match, how you get into the mindset, the pacer said. Bhuvneshwar said the focus within the Lucknow Falcons camp is less on elaborate match plans at this stage and more on ensuring players are mentally prepared and comfortable when they step onto the field. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So the aim, being a captain, and a coachs, is that we can keep the players in a good space, in a happy space, in a comfortable space. That is our effort, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Transition To State-of-the-art Facility, Women's ODI WC Win High Points Of Tenure: Laxman
ODI World Cup: Reflecting on his tenure at the helm of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE), former India batter VVS Laxman on Sunday cited the transition to world-class infrastructure and the Indian women's team's historic 2025 ODI World Cup triumph as the ultimate highlights of his stint. Laxman, one of the few players to have played 100 Test matches, has been the CoEs head of cricket since December 2021. Under him, the high-performance facility moved from being at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to a world-class facility spread across 40 acres of land on the outskirts of the garden city. First, realising and being part of the vision converted into actual execution has been the highlight. Because we were operating from that facility at the Chinnaswamy, which was great, and it still contributed towards a lot of cricketers. But this is an unbelievable world-class infrastructure. So I was part of that transition. The second thing was the development of a lot of young cricketers. Again, it's not the trophies you win. Trophies are a byproduct of what systems, the processes you set. Those systems and the processes are something which is in your control and you can focus in an objective way, understanding whether those processes are working or not working. The trophies are a byproduct of the hard work and the processes and systems you put in place, said Laxman in a press conference on Sunday. Explaining his deep connection with women's cricket, Laxman expressed immense pride in the team's maiden ODI World Cup victory, and recalled the emotional moment when head coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur invited him to join the winning celebrations. The third one is understanding and being involved with women's cricket. I think that for me was something out of my comfort zone, and out of my understanding. I think in the last four and a half years, the amount of involvement I got into women's cricket is something which I will treasure. In fact, Amol and Harman wanted me to be there on the ground when we won the World Cup. I was there in the BCCI box and I enjoyed watching from there - the whole celebration. I was probably one of the last ones to leave because, again, any vision you set in, any goal or ambition you establish, and if that bears the fruit, you feel really happy about it. So I think Indian women's team winning the World Cup was probably the high point. So there are a lot of high points. Actually, watching the youngsters as with this magnitude of the infrastructure, from April to September, the entire infrastructure of such a big scale is filled with players. In that, watching right from under-16, under-15 players to your elite contracted players like Harman, Indian women's team and men's team and targeted players coming and to see them work on their game, to see them get better each and every day, it can't be more meaningful than what I've experienced. So I think that, again, is a high point and I think all these players, all these activities will only strengthen Indian cricket and all these players, I'm sure, will get a lot more laurels to Indian cricket and try to be the best players they can be and we always aim to be the best team in world cricket. Speaking about star batter Virat Kohli, Laxman lauded his work ethic and the benchmarks he has established for the next generation of players. I think there's no doubt that Virat is an exemplary professional and the standards he sets for himself is something which he tries and goes out each and every time he plays, whichever team, to meet those standards and that's why he's a great role model. I think a lot of youngsters or players want to emulate him and that's been, again, one of the high points. I see a lot of youngsters, I don't know if I can name them, but everyone who's here and the benchmark we set is the benchmark of the best. That's why you have the NFDC parameters. It's not only about the fitness, but it's also the attitude with which a role model plays and that's why they're known as role models. Elaborating on the psychological and physical management on the players undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE, Laxman cited all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as a case in point regarding workload management amid tight schedules. I think the mental side of a player undergoing rehab or getting injuries is something which we always require to keep in mind. So the player also knows that he has got injured. The player also knows what is that he requires to do to get fit and be again participating in the commitments. Now from the CoE side, we make sure that we make the player understand the workload. In this case, it is Nitish. Being an all-rounder, obviously there is a lot of workload on him and how he becomes fitter, not only when he is playing various tournaments but also when he is not part of any tournaments. I think it is an ongoing process now of getting better from your fitness levels because everyone knows, now you go to IPL, you play state franchise and then you start playing the domestic cricket or international cricket. So while you are playing the matches also, unlike before where there is an off-season where you actually can get better at your fitness, the player should know that while he is playing the matches, how he productively and meaningfully uses the breaks to get fit. So I think the conversation with Nitish is, injury is part and parcel. What is that you can do to get better, to handle the workload of being an all-rounder and it is across the board. It is not only Nitish, across the board, you want to tell and that is why the screening at the start of the season is very, very important. Laxman also highlighted the introduction of the 'Bronco test' to evaluate anaerobic capacity during competitive series without putting excessive strain on athletes. If you see in the presentation, the parameters we have for all the fitness tests, the NFTC test is mentioned there. So all the contracted players and the targeted players come before the start of the season and they undergo a string of fitness tests which you must have seen with various machines up there and on-field activities. So I think the conversation with Nitish is, injury is part and parcel. What is that you can do to get better, to handle the workload of being an all-rounder and it is across the board. It is not only Nitish, across the board, you want to tell and that is why the screening at the start of the season is very, very important. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So the Bronco test becomes like a conditioning session. It also indirectly tests the fitness levels, the anaerobic fitness levels of a player and that is taken on board across the various age groups and we do that through the season. So that is something which can be repeatable, Laxman concluded. Article Source: IANS
'Not Yet Sufficient': What BCCI Report Said About Sai Sudharsan's Injury Revealed
Sai Sudharsan was on Saturday ruled out of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a big toe injury.
Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh Among 'Marquee Players' Of Sher-e-Punjab T20 League
Shubman Gill will represent 'Fazilka Falcons', while Abhishek Sharma will play for 'Amritsar Soormas'. Arshdeep Singh will play for 'Ludhiana Lions' and Prabhsimran Singh will represent the 'Jalandhar Warriors'.
'Kohli a great role model; youngsters want to emulate him'
VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, lauded Virat Kohli as an 'exemplary professional' and 'great role model' for his consistent high standards.
Kagiso Rabada Makes Bold 'No Pressure' Claim Before Home World Cup
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada believes his team will not face any additional pressure when they play on home soil at next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Barabati Stadium Set To Host Odisha T20 League From Sep 18
The Odisha Cricket Association: The iconic Barabati Stadium is set to host the upcoming season of the Odisha T20 League, with the tournament scheduled to begin on September 18. The league will bring together some of the states leading cricketers alongside emerging talent, offering young players an opportunity to compete at a higher level and showcase their skills on a bigger platform. The tournament will also highlight Odishas regional cricketing culture, with franchises representing different parts of the state, including Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar and other regions. The regional representation is expected to add to the competitive edge of the league and provide a platform for local rivalries to develop. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary Sanjay Behera said the league would play an important role in the development of players in the state. We are extremely delighted to kickstart the Odisha T20 League. This tournament will play a vital role in the development of our players. It will provide young cricketers with the opportunity to compete against some of the best talent in the state, gain valuable experience and prepare themselves for bigger stages in the future, he said. Behera also underlined the OCAs focus on creating opportunities for players while ensuring an engaging experience for spectators. We are extremely delighted to kickstart the Odisha T20 League. This tournament will play a vital role in the development of our players. It will provide young cricketers with the opportunity to compete against some of the best talent in the state, gain valuable experience and prepare themselves for bigger stages in the future, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With a mix of experienced domestic cricketers and promising youngsters, the Odisha T20 League is expected to contribute to the development of the states cricketing ecosystem and provide emerging players with a pathway to higher levels of the game. Article Source: IANS
Reporter Asks VVS Laxman Why Players Are Using Private Trainers. His Reply Can't Be Missed
VVS Laxman was asked about Team India players using private trainers. He said it was the first time he heard such a thing.
CoE Not Just A Rehab Centre; Injuries Part And Parcel Of Modern-day Cricket: Laxman
BCCI President Mithun Manhas: Stating injuries are an inevitable part of modern-day elite sport, BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman said on Sunday the facility carries a broader mandate than just rehabilitating injured players while asserting that seamless coordination exists between support staff, selectors, and team management. Amidst mounting injury concerns hurting the senior mens and womens teams at various junctures, Laxman addressed a press conference alongside BCCI President Mithun Manhas, secretary Devajit Saikia, treasurer Raghuram Bhatt, and joint secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia. The quartet also had a meeting with Laxman to address the increasing injury concerns at the high-performance facility spread over nearly 40 acres on the outskirts of Bengaluru. CoE is not merely a rehab centre. There are bigger roles to play for it in helping cricketers achieve excellence. I don't think it's a cause of concern. But obviously when someone is playing at the elite level, you're supposed to give more than 100 percent because if you're not, then you're not doing justification to the role or for what purpose you're selected in the team. There's no doubt that the modern generation of players has to play a lot more cricket than probably when I used to play the game. Obviously with the addition of T20, the three formats, but that's when all the initiatives which CoE and SSM staff has taken, it will benefit them. It's not only for the contracted or targeted players, it will benefit even the state players. So I think ultimately injuries are part and parcel of any player, said Laxman in the press conference. He also said that elite athletes naturally push their bodies, thus making physical setbacks an unavoidable component of competitive sport. I just want to reiterate that when you're playing at the highest level, you finish your whatever series, from that series to the next series, you automatically work hard on getting better, and on getting fitter. Even though you do that with playing at the highest level, you can get injured. So if you're thinking about not to get injured, then you're not playing to the best of your ability. So I think one thing which should be addressed, and I think that's changed dramatically, is how you see injury. Do you see injury as a negative thing? Or do you think injury is part and parcel? You obviously get better and evolve in the processes to take care of the players, but injuries are bound to happen. I think that's why the monitoring system is very, very critical. I've got no doubt that Adrian and Nick or Kamlesh and Rakhi are doing that when they're playing for the country. You get injured and we have to understand that it's part and parcel of playing international cricket with the intensity you expect them to play, he explained. Laxman further dismissed reports of miscommunication or finger-pointing over player fitness, even as players like Jasprit Bumrah, B Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Prince Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are rehabbing from varied injuries at the CoE. I think we don't like to use the name blame because when you're using the blame, then you're finding someone as a scapegoat. I don't know what you all feel and you start blaming because of this and because of that. But there's a brilliant coordination between the CoE, team management of both the teams and the SSM staff of both the teams and the selection committee, he said. Detailing the process regarding the conditional selection of key players like Bumrah and Sudharsan, who are now not in sight to play the two-game Test series against Sri Lanka, Laxman explained the systematic flow of information. Now you're talking about Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan. When we send a fitness status report, and the process is that the selector reaches out to the CoE asking for the fitness status report and we collect the current fitness status and send a fitness status report to the selection committee chairman or chairperson in women's selection committee with a copy to obviously the head coach of both the teams and the BCCI. Now with Bumrah and Sai Sudarshan, there's always an asterisk and this is one thing which you all know that when the media release comes from the BCCI, there's an asterisk attached to a player selection. And what does that asterisk mean? It means subject to fitness. So Bumrah and Sai Sudarshan were going to be picked to Sri Lanka subject to fitness clearance. He further added that recovery trajectories are continuously monitored before final calls are taken. As I told before, you assess them, you move them from one stage to the next stage and if the progression is slow, you communicate to the selection committee chairman and the head coach, which is happening seamlessly, and they understand that they're not yet ready to participate in an international series. Always it's player-centric and team-centric. So that communication is happening seamlessly. So the subject to fitness is something we require to keep in mind in any press release, and I think what the BCCI has done is to ensure there is transparency in all the fitness reports and also the selection. At the end of the selection, whether it's a release to the press, it's clearly mentioned that these players are picked subject to fitness. It means if they don't clear the fitness test here, that means the selectors will know who are the other players who will go in their place if they don't clear the fitness test. I mean, it's basic common sense. Elaborating on the administrative timeline, Secretary Saikia explained why the 'subject to fitness' clause remains essential during squad announcements. Just to add to your question, we basically have our selection meetings at least three to four weeks before the team departs. So therefore, three weeks before or four weeks before, we do not know the exact status of the player. At the end of the selection, whether it's a release to the press, it's clearly mentioned that these players are picked subject to fitness. It means if they don't clear the fitness test here, that means the selectors will know who are the other players who will go in their place if they don't clear the fitness test. I mean, it's basic common sense. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But by the time it will be effectively required for the travel or to play the match, by that time he may be totally picked. So in that situation, we always keep that subject to fitness condition and we do not deprive the player also. It is very uncertain that within 21 days he will get picked or not. Nobody can predict that as it is a human body, not a machine. So he may take 14 or 28 days time, subject to his own body composition, Saikia concluded. Article Source: IANS
LNS vs BPH: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of Match 28, The Hundred Mens 2026
LNS vs BPH,Approaching Milestones and Records :The second game of the double header on Sunday in the Hundred Men's 2026 will be played between London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix. These two teams have been eliminated from the competition, and nothing can save them from it. Both teams are sitting at the bottom of the points table at the moment. Birmingham Phoenix are placed at the bottom of the table with only one win. That win came at the start of the campaign against Trent Rockets. But since then, they suffered five consecutive defeats and are struggling to get a win. That is what they will be looking for from this game. The upcoming contest is scheduled to be played on Sunday at 10:30 PM IST at Lords Cricket Ground in London. London Spirit are one spot above them. The winner of this game won't change anything, but both teams will be aiming to finish the campaigns on a high. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the LNS vs BPH Match 28 at the Lord's Cricket Ground, London. LNS vs BPH: Approaching Test Records and Cricket Milestones Ahead of the LNS vs BPHMatch 28 atLord's Cricket Ground in London 123 - Jonny Bairstow needs 123 runs to complete 7000 runs in men's T20 cricket. 1 - Veteran English pacer David Willey has been exceptional this season. He has taken 390 wickets in his T20 career so far. One more wicket and he will surpass T20 legend Lasith Malinga. 22 - Will Smeed has scored 3978 runs in T20 cricket. He needs 22 more runs to reach the milestone of 4000 runs in his career. 6 - Jordan Thompson is close to reaching 150 wickets in his T20 cricket. He is just six wickets away from this landmark. 1 - Chris Wood is just one wicket away from surpassing legendary South African bowler Dalye Styen in T20 cricket. 41 - Liam Livingstone has 1159 runs in the Hundred men's competition. He needs 41 more runs to become the fifth-highest scorer in this league. 3 - David Willey is just three wickets away from entering the top five wicket-takers in this league. 80 - Joe Clarke needs 80 more runs to complete 1000 runs in this league. Only nine batters have done this milestone. Also Read: Live Cricket Score
Sarfaraz Khan Likely To Replace Injured Sai Sudharsan For Sri Lanka Tests: Report
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Shubman Gill captured practicing warm-up drills ahead of Sri Lanka Test amid injury concerns
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APL 2026: Royals Captain Das Banks On Home Support To End Warriors' Unbeaten Streak
Assam Premier League: Guwahati Royals skipper Rishav Das said he is banking on strong home support for his side aims to hand table-toppers Dibrugarh Warriors their first defeat of the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 season when the clash takes place at the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium on Monday. Unbeaten Warriors currently lead the standings with four wins from as many matches, while the Royals, who recently chased down 147 against Tezpur Titans, occupy the second spot with six points from four games. The support for Guwahati Royals has been huge. Whenever we play our matches, we have seen a huge crowd coming into the stands to back us. Especially playing in Guwahati as the home team, we have really felt that support from the fans. Das said in a statement by the tournament on Sunday ahead of the top-of-the-table clash. The Royals skipper has been in fine form this season, currently sitting fifth on the tournaments run-scoring charts with 123 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 124.24. He also holds the joint-highest tally for fours (15) hit by a batter so far in the competition. Especially playing in Guwahati as the home team, we have really felt that support from the fans. Das said in a statement by the tournament on Sunday ahead of the top-of-the-table clash. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A victory on Monday would draw Guwahati Royals level on points with Dibrugarh Warriors, providing a significant boost as the inaugural edition of the tournament enters its crucial phase. Article Source: IANS
Don't Use The Word 'Blame': VVS Laxman Counters Criticism Of Team India's Growing Injury Crisis
BCCI COE head VVS Laxman addressed concerns over injuries, stating player rehabilitation is objective and data-driven.
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Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh Spark IPL Coaching Buzz In Delhi Capitals Camp
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'Going To Defend The Fortress': Kagiso Rabada Embraces Home Advantage For 2027 World Cup
South Africa will co-host the 14th edition of the 50-over World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027, with expectations high following the team's impressive performances across formats in recent years.
Gill resumes practice after finger injury forced him out of warm-up clash
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Were Going To Defend This Fortress: Rabada Embraces Home Advantage For 2027 WC
ICC Cricket World Cup: South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada believes playing the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil next year will not bring additional pressure on the Proteas; instead, it will prove to be an opportunity to 'defend this fortress' and clinch their first 50-over World Cup title. South Africa will co-host the 14th edition of the 50-over World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027, with expectations high following the teams impressive performances across formats in recent years. The Proteas secured their maiden ICC World Test Championship title in 2025 after defeating Australia at Lords, while they have also shown consistency in the limited-overs formats. However, Rabada does not believe those achievements, combined with the pressure of playing in front of home supporters, will weigh heavily on the team. Well, I think theres a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it. Its almost like freedom as well. I dont feel the pressure of us playing at home and feeling the need to win it, Rabada told the ICC at the official Cricket World Cup 2027 venue and brand announcement event in Johannesburg. Its almost like, were at home, and were going to defend this fortress. And thats what it means to me. Its about representing the badge, he added. Rabada, who featured in South Africas 2019 and 2023 World Cup campaigns, is also drawing inspiration from one of crickets most iconic moments. The fast bowler recalled Pakistan great Wasim Akrams match-winning spell in the 1992 World Cup final against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where the left-armer produced a decisive burst to help Pakistan secure their maiden World Cup title. One World Cup moment from the past that Ill never forget, because Im a bowler, Im going to go to the bowlers club, was Wasim Akram against England in the final. Him just cleaning up (the stumps) and putting on a show to take it home for his country and showing the passion and the skill. He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him that he was there to play, Rabada said. The 31-year-old believes South Africas recent success has also strengthened the teams belief that it can handle the pressure of major knockout matches. One World Cup moment from the past that Ill never forget, because Im a bowler, Im going to go to the bowlers club, was Wasim Akram against England in the final. Him just cleaning up (the stumps) and putting on a show to take it home for his country and showing the passion and the skill. He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him that he was there to play, Rabada said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa have reached the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup on four occasions but are yet to win the title. With the 2027 tournament taking place in their own backyard, the Proteas will look to complete the final step and lift the trophy. Article Source: IANS
Sarfaraz set to replace injured Sai Sudharsan for Sri Lanka Tests
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan is expected to replace the injured Sai Sudharsan in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, as confirmed by BCCI sources.
Narine's 4-1-7-3 downs Patriots in rain-hit match
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Charith Asalanka and Eshan Malinga propel Galle Gallants to maiden LPL title
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Australia Great Brett Lee Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
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Brett Lee Snubs Sachin Tendulkar As Cricket's GOAT. But His Pick Isn't Surprising
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Gill, Abhishek, Arshdeep Among 'marquee Players' Of Sher-e-Punjab T20 League
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann: Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh and young fast bowler Gurnoor Brar have been announced as the marquee players of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League. The league will be played from August 30 to September 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, with more than 450 Punjab players set to enter the auction on Sunday, giving emerging talent a major platform alongside established players. Gill will represent 'Fazilka Falcons', while Abhishek will play for 'Amritsar Soormas'. Arshdeep will play for 'Ludhiana Lions' and Prabhsimran will represent the 'Jalandhar Warriors'. Ramandeep has been named as the marquee player for 'Mohali Kings', while Gurnoor will represent 'Bathinda Royals'. The presence of some big names from the cricketing world of Punjab is expected to further enhance the glory of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League. This will give the states emerging talent a big platform to showcase their talent alongside established international stars. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Punjab has always been a land of extraordinary cricketing talent and the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is an important platform to showcase that talent. The presence of players like Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh will inspire the next generation of cricketers across the state. We want Punjab to continue producing players who can represent India at the highest level. This will give the states emerging talent a big platform to showcase their talent alongside established international stars. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With a combination of established Indian stars and promising young players, the upcoming season of Sher-e-Punjab T20 League will prove to be another important step towards strengthening Punjabs cricketing infrastructure and creating opportunities for the next generation of cricketers of the state. Article Source: IANS
Indian Cricket Or Hospital Ward? Crisis Deepens As BCCI Steps In. Here's Full List Of Injured Stars
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SUL vs WEF: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of Match 27, The Hundred Mens 2026
SUL vs WEF,Approaching Milestones and Records :The clock is ticking with every passing game in the Hundred Men's 2026. Already two teams have been eliminated from the competition, and the next few matches will eliminate a few more. Match no. 27 of the ongoing season will be played between Sunrisers Leeds and Welsh Fire on Sunday afternoon. This contest will be held at Headingley in Leeds, starting at 7 PM IST. Sunrisers Leeds have moved to the second spot on the points table with a 45-run win over Birmingham Phoenix. Ryan Rickelton has won Man of the Match awards in the last two matches. He has been excellent. Mitchell Marsh and Harry Brook have also done well. On the other hand, Welsh Fire suffered a 9-wicket defeat in the previous game. That has made them slip to fourth place. They will be looking to bounce back after that defeat and add four more points to their kitty. A win here can boost the chances of both teams for the next round. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the SUL vs WEF Match 27 at the Headingley in Leeds. SUL vs WEF: Approaching Test Records and Cricket Milestones Ahead of the SUL vs WEFMatch 27 atHeadingley in Leeds 22 - Ryan Rickelton has won two consecutive MOTM games. He has scored 4978 runs in 176 T20s. He needs 22 more runs to complete 5000 runs in the shorter format. 17 - Mitchell Marsh has been in excellent form this season. He has played several good knocks already. Marsh is just 22 runs away from completing 7000 runs in T20 cricket. 8 - Australian pacer Nathan Ellis needs 8 more wickets to complete 250 wickets in T20 cricket. 129 - Phil Salt has scored 8871 runs in T20 cricket. He needs 129 more runs to complete 9000 runs in T20 cricket. 9 - Chris Woakes needs nine wickets to reach 200 wickets in T20 cricket. 3 - Harry Brook needs three more boundaries (sixes and fours) to complete 150 boundaries in the Hundred Men's competition. 24 - Phil Salt needs 24 more runs to become the leading run scorer in the Hundred Men's Competition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 6 - Jordan Cox needs six more sixes to complete 50 sixes in this league. He needs three more boundaries to complete 100 fours.5 - Sam Cook needs five more wickets to become the fifth highest wicket-taker in this league.
The IPL window in 2027 is expected to fall between Australias five-Test tour of India and a possible World Test Championship final, making it the only substantial period available for the teams senior fast bowlers to rest and undergo conditioning ahead of the Ashes
LNS vs BPH Match 28, The Hundred Mens 2026 Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
LNS vs BPHMatch 28, Cricket Tips :London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix are two teams that have suffered early elimination from the Hundred Men's 2026. There is nothing left for these two teams in this tournament. The upcoming contest will kick off on Sunday at 10:30 PM IST at Lord's Cricket Ground. Birmingham Phoenix are at the bottom of the table with four points. They are struggling to break the losing streak, which has stretched to five matches now. London Spirit have also lost three games in a row. These two sides will be looking to win a game and give their fans something to cheer about. LNS vs BPH: Match Details Date : August 9, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 10:30 PM IST Venue : Lord's Cricket Ground, London LNS vs BPH: Live Streaming Details The live action of the LNS vs BPH clash will be available on the Star Sports Networks on cable TV networks. Fans can access the live stream of the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. LNS vs BPH: Head-to-Head in The Hundred Total Matches : 5 London Spirit : 0 Birmingham Phoenix : 5 No-result: 0 LNS vs BPH: Ground Pitch Report Lord's Cricket Ground has been an excellent bowling wicket. The fast bowlers will get movement and swing with the new ball. The overhead conditions will work more in favor of the seamers. Batting second will be key here. LNS vs BPH: Possible XIs London Spirit: Jonny Bairstow (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Liam Livingstone (c), Dewald Brevis, James Coles, Joseph Moores, Jamie Overton, David Willey, Mason Crane, Matthew Fisher, Adam Milne Birmingham Phoenix: Joe Clarke (wk), Mitchell Owen, Will Smeed, Rehan Ahmed, Sean Dickson, Jordan Thompson, Donovan Ferreira (c), Scott Currie, Tom Helm, Chris Wood, Usman Tariq LNS vs BPH: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Liam Livingstone and Joe Clarke are two batters who have shown attacking form in this season and will be the ones to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Adam Milne and Usman Tariq are two bowlers who have not let the opposition's batters get away with runs. Today Match Prediction: London Spirit know the home conditions, and they will have an edge. Hence, we will predict London Spirit will win this game. LNS vs BPH Match 28, The Hundred Men's Competition 2026, Today Match LNS vs BPH, LNS vs BPH Prediction, LNS vs BPH Predicted XIs, Injury Update for LNS vs BPH Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
BCCI secretary Saikia to visit COE to take stock of injury crisis, to meet with VVS Laxman
India will be missing the services of Jasprit Bumrah (knee swelling), B Sai Sudharsan (left foot big toe), Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (hamstring) and Washington Sundar (quadriceps) due to various injuries
Padikkal seals No. 3 spot with stylish hundred as Jaiswal, Pant fail
At the end of the second day, India finished its first innings at 357 for eight in 90 overs. Padikkals artistic unbeaten 142 and a gritty 63 (retired out) by veteran Ravindra Jadeja were the highlights, while Manav Suthar (41) also impressed with the bat on his maiden overseas international assignment
SUL vs WEF Match 27, The Hundred Mens 2026 Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
SUL vs WEF Match 27, Cricket Tips :The race to finish in the top three of the group stage of The Hundred Men's 2026 has intensified. There will be two exciting matches lined up for this Sunday. The first game will be played between Sunrisers Leeds and Welsh Fire at 7 PM IST, taking place at Headingley in Leeds. Sunrisers Leeds are placed second on the table, whereas Welsh Fire are currently sitting in fourth place. Both sides have four wins each in six matches. These sides have shown good form, and it will add more spice to this game.Whoever wins will move very closer to a place in the next round. SUL vs WEF: Match Details Date : August 9, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Headingley, Leeds SUL vs WEF: Live Streaming Details The live action of the SUL vs WEF clash will be televised on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can catch the live stream of the game, which will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. SUL vs WEF: Head-to-Head in The Hundred Total Matches : 5 Sunrisers Leeds: 2 Welsh Fire : 2 No-result : 1 SUL vs WEF: Ground Pitch Report Headingley offers a high-scoring venue for T20 cricket. The boundaries are pretty small, and the bounce here is pretty consistent. In the last game, 445 runs were scored here. The batters have dominated here and we might see another high-scoring clash. SUL vs WEF: Possible XIs Sunrisers Leeds: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley (c), Dan Lawrence, Brydon Carse, Matthew Revis, Matthew Potts, Nathan Ellis, Liam Patterson-White, Abrar Ahmed Welsh Fire: Philip Salt (c & wk), Matt Short, Rachin Ravindra, Joe Root, Jordan Cox, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Marco Jansen, Ben Kellaway, Chris Woakes, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Cook SUL vs WEF: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Ryan Rickelton is coming off two consecutive MOTM performances and will be a dangerous batter. For Welsh Fire, captain Phil Salt is the key batter. Probable Best Bowler Nathan Ellis and Lockie Ferguson are bowling well and are among the top wicket-takers this season. Today Match Prediction: Sunrisers Leeds are in better form, and they will play at home. Hence, Sunrisers Leeds are in a better position to win this game. SUL vs WEF Match 27, The Hundred Men's Competition 2026, Today Match SUL vs WEF, SUL vs WEF Prediction, SUL vs WEF Predicted XIs, Injury Update for SUL vs WEF Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Chaturveds heroics help Panthers ace record chase
The No. 3 batter smashes 121 off just 47 balls as the Madurai side achieves the 240-run target with three balls to spare against Kovai Kings; Rajkumar guides Grand Cholas to victory
Chaturved savours best day after record TNPL hundred
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: The Kanpur Superstars are fully prepared to launch their bid for the title in the upcoming edition of the UP T20 League. The franchise will begin its campaign on August 15, squaring off against the Noida Kings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. As the 24-day cricketing extravaganza unfolds, the action will eventually shift to the Superstars' home turf. The Green Park Stadium in Kanpur will host the second phase of the tournament starting August 28, culminating in the playoffs and the grand finale on September 6. Following a highly productive player auction, franchise owner Ayush Lalwani expressed his confidence in the newly constructed squad, emphasizing that the management successfully executed its primary strategy. We are very happy with the way the auction went, said Lalwani. Our aim was to build a balanced squad by covering all the key areas, and I believe we have achieved that. We have a good mix of quality batters, bowlers, and all-rounders, and overall we are pleased with the team we have assembled. The squad features a dynamic blend of proven IPL stars and emerging local talent. The batting lineup is bolstered by explosive and experienced batter Sameer Rizvi. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by premier left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan. In addition to sheer talent, the franchise strategically invested in leadership and tactical maturity during the auction. We are delighted to have experienced players like Karn Sharma and Mohammed Amaan in our squad, Lalwani noted. Amaan has also captained the India Under-19 team, so both of them bring valuable experience and leadership. We believe they will play an important role in guiding the younger players and strengthening the team. Recognizing the crucial role of state-level cricket in nurturing grassroots talent, the Kanpur Superstars owner commended the UPCA Speed Hunt, a talent-scouting initiative aimed at discovering raw fast-bowling prospects across Uttar Pradesh. The UPCA Speed Hunt is a fantastic initiative. It gives raw and talented players an opportunity to showcase their skills and get noticed, he explained. The UP T20 League provides them with the perfect platform to perform, and from here they can dream of progressing to the IPL and even representing India. Initiatives like these are very important for the future of cricket in the state. He further elaborated on the broader impact of state T20 leagues on the domestic cricket ecosystem. The growth of state leagues has created healthy competition among players. While opportunities in the IPL and the Indian team are limited, these tournaments motivate youngsters to improve their game and perform consistently, Lalwani said. They know that one good season can open bigger doors for them, and that is what makes these leagues so valuable. As the Superstars head into their pre-season preparations, the ownership has set clear expectations for the squad. The most important qualities I expect from my players are focus, discipline, and commitment. If everyone gives their hundred percent and plays for the team, the results will take care of themselves, Lalwani concluded. As the Superstars head into their pre-season preparations, the ownership has set clear expectations for the squad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sameer Rizvi, Mohsin Khan, Karn Sharma, Adarsh Singh, Aaqib Khan, Vineet Panwar, Shubham Mishra, Mohd. Amaan, Pankaj Kumar, Shivam Bansal, Ajay Kumar, Yashovardhan Singh, Inzamam Hussain, Priyanshu Pandey, Satyam Sangu, Arjun Kumar Singh, Saubhagya Mishra, Shakti Verma Article Source: IANS
Asalanka and Malinga lead Galle to maiden LPL title
They took six wickets between them to dismiss Jaffna for 123
Mitchell Santner takes Trent Rockets one step closer to final
Rockets just need to win their final game to secure top and qualify automatically for the Lord's final
Jimmy Neesham Joins Glasgow Cosmic For Inaugural Edition Of ETPL
The European T20 Premier League: Glasgow Cosmic have announced the signing of New Zealand international all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for the inaugural edition of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), strengthening their squad with a proven match-winner ahead of the tournament. Neesham, known for his explosive batting and handy medium pace, brings significant international experience to the franchise, having represented New Zealand across formats and featured in major global tournaments including the ICC Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup. The 33-year-old all-rounder has built a reputation as a game-changer in the shortest format, with his ability to accelerate in the death overs and deliver crucial breakthroughs with the ball. He has also been a consistent performer in T20 leagues around the world. Welcoming Neesham to the side, Matthew Hayden, co-owner of Glasgow Cosmic said, Jimmy Neesham is a proven match-winner whose all-round ability and experience make him a valuable addition to Glasgow Cosmic for the inaugural ETPL season. Glasgow Cosmic team principal CEO Rashid Ali Khan added, Jimmy brings great balance and energy to the squad. His presence will be a big boost for us this season. Glasgow Cosmic, one of the founding franchises of the ETPL, has been assembling a strong squad featuring international stars and emerging talent as part of its vision to build a competitive and globally appealing team. Glasgow Cosmic team principal CEO Rashid Ali Khan added, Jimmy brings great balance and energy to the squad. His presence will be a big boost for us this season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Neeshams inclusion, Glasgow Cosmic further bolsters its lineup as it prepares to make a strong statement in the leagues first edition. Article Source: IANS
Ghosh, Villiers keep MSG alive with victory over Southern Brave
Brave missed the opportunity to qualify in the top three spots with a game to spare
Pakistan Cricketers Return From Unsanctioned Zambia League, Face Two-year PCB Ban
The Lusaka T20 League: A group of former Pakistan cricketers have returned from Zambia after featuring in an unsanctioned Twenty20 league, where they reportedly failed to receive full payment and now face a two-year ban from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The players went to Lusaka in order to take part in the Asian Legends League, a tournament that was promoted last month and which included among its featured names the former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir; although Ambati Rayudu from India was originally going to take part in the league he withdrew from Zambia without playing after finding out that the tournament had not been sanctioned. The Lusaka T20 League, which included teams like Asian Stars, Pakistan Panthers, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, was set to start on August 2. A source near the players stated that Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood had asked for information regarding the tournament after finding out that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU). The source said that players such as Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood asked about the League, and after finding out that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), since ZCU had then issued a statement making it clear that the league received no sanction, approval or endorsement, some players including India's Ambati Rayudu decided to leave without taking part. It is reported that several international players and their support staff were left stranded in Lusaka as they attempted to sort out their unpaid travel arrangements, and this has also resulted in demands for a joint investigation involving multiple cricket boards. Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain and Rana Anwar were among the former Pakistan players who took part in some matches. The tournament was suddenly halted as a result of the ZCU's intervention. The report also stated that the organisers had not been able to finalise a broadcast deal. After noticing that former Pakistan players had taken part in the 20th Asian Legends League, the PCB announced a two-year ban since it was discovered that the players had not secured the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board. A player acknowledged that it had been a mistake to take part in the tournament and said that the group had been misled by agents. The player told Telecom Asia Network on the condition of anonymity that he had been surprised by the agents who had told him the League was approved by ZCU and that he would receive a good amount of money, but he did suffer embarrassment since the hotel would not let him settle into a room because of the non-payment and then had further difficulties at the airport. The player stated that the cricketers had come back without receiving the financial rewards they had hoped for and were now having to undergo a serious punishment. The situation is a blow for all the players since they had gone there in order to earn some good money which they haven't obtained, but what they have received instead is a severe punishment from the Pakistan Cricket Board, the player said. The sources state that the injured players intend to go together to Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, and ask for clemency, on the grounds that cricket is still their main source of income and that a two-year ban could have serious financial repercussions. Akmal has also publicly supported his teammates and asked the PCB to review the punishment. Akmal stated on social media that players from other countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan took part in the event and have not been banned, and that the PCB should reconsider this penalty since the players' livelihoods depend on cricket. Akmal has also publicly supported his teammates and asked the PCB to review the punishment. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Tamim Iqbal, who was previously captain of Bangladesh, has been named chairman of the committee. Article Source: IANS
When umpires became click bait before everything finally clicked
Legendary Australian pacer sings Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's praises after latter's recent brilliance
World cricket has recently been taken by storm by 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The youngster has been exceptional wherever he has played, winning the orange cap for Rajasthan Royals. He also became the youngest-ever...
Ajinkya Rahane's innings as a player with Indian and Mumbai cricket came to an end. The veteran was one of India's most trusted performers
Kusal Mendis named inaugural president of Sri Lanka players' association
The association has been established to serve as an independent and collective voice for professional cricketers in Sri Lanka
MCA Installs Dilip Sardesai Gate On Legendary Players Birth Anniversary At Wankhede Stadium
MCA President Ajinkya Naik: To the birth anniversary of legendary Mumbai and India batter Dilip Sardesai, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Saturday formally installed the commemorative board in his name at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The official installation of Dilip Sardesai Gate Gate No. 3 at the stadium took place in the presence of members of the MCA Apex Council, along with family members, friends, and well-wishers of the late cricketer, as they honoured his vast contribution to Indian cricket on his special day. The gate was previously designated in Sardesais honour, but the placement of the commemorative board at the entrance now provides a permanent, physical tribute at the stadiums threshold. Dilip Sardesai's contribution to Mumbai and Indian cricket is immense. He was a great cricketer and an important part of India's cricketing journey. On his birth anniversary, it is fitting that we honour his memory and legacy at Wankhede Stadium. The board marking his name will serve as a reminder to generations of cricketers and cricket lovers of the contribution he made to the game, MCA President Ajinkya Naik said in a statement. Renowned as one of Mumbais finest stroke-makers and a distinguished Test batter, Sardesai played an instrumental role in India's historic 1971 Test series victory in the West Indies by producing performances that remain etched in the country's sporting folklore. The board marking his name will serve as a reminder to generations of cricketers and cricket lovers of the contribution he made to the game, MCA President Ajinkya Naik said in a statement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Members of the MCA Apex Council joined Sardesai's family in reflecting on his outstanding career, as the association noted that the memorial gate will serve as a constant source of inspiration for future generations while entering the iconic ground. Article Source: IANS
Watch: Gautam Gambhir's Priceless Reaction As Ravindra Jadeja Imitates Kuldeep Yadav's Bowling Style
Gautam Gambhir failed to hold back his laughter as Ravindra Jadeja performed Kuldeep Yadav's role to perfection.
The Indian cricket team will soon be seen in action against Sri Lanka, starting August 15 in a two-Test series
Amit Uniyal Appointed Punjab Mens Head Coach As PCA Overhauls Coaching Staff
Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy: In a major administrative shake-up ahead of the 2026/27 domestic season, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has overhauled its senior men's coaching staff and named former left-arm seamer Amit Uniyal as the new head coach in place of Sandeep Sharma. Alongside Uniyal, the PCA appointed TP Singh as the batting coach, Harmeet Singh as the bowling coach, and Manish Sharma as the fielding coach. They replace Uday Kaul, Gagandeep Singh, and Sandeep Sanwal, respectively. Uniyal, who represented Punjab in 29 First-Class and 46 List A matches, represented Rajasthan Royals in 2009 IPL. He now becomes Punjab's fourth head coach in four seasons following short stints by Aavishkar Salvi, Wasim Jaffer, and Sandeep Sharma. The overhaul comes on the back of Punjab's persistent struggles in red-ball cricket. While the side lifted the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in 2023/24, their Ranji Trophy record has been dismal, securing just three wins against ten losses across the last three seasons. Since everyone wants to play in the IPL nowadays, they focus more on T20 cricket. But we have the potential, we have the talent, all we need is to play as a unit. We want to do better in red-ball cricket this time, and for that, you need bowlers who can take 20 wickets. So we will work towards that, Uniyal was quoted as saying by Cricinfo on Saturday. Since the end of his playing days, Uniyal has been part of various coaching set-ups and selection committees for Chandigarh. He was their assistant coach in the 2020/21 season and then chairman of selectors last season. Since everyone wants to play in the IPL nowadays, they focus more on T20 cricket. But we have the potential, we have the talent, all we need is to play as a unit. We want to do better in red-ball cricket this time, and for that, you need bowlers who can take 20 wickets. So we will work towards that, Uniyal was quoted as saying by Cricinfo on Saturday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I don't know what happened last season. But obviously when the team is not winning, the changes are more. I just want us to play tough cricket without any fear of losing one's spot. If someone gets picked, he will get a proper opportunity, he added. Article Source: IANS
Srinath stresses the importance of having a pace battery
The Mysore Express feels that having enough overs under ones belt is key to avoiding injuries
BCCI Secretary Saikia Likely To Meet VVS Laxman During Visit To CoE On Sunday
Cricket VVS Laxman: Concerned by the mounting spate of injuries that has hit the India mens team, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia will meet Head of Cricket VVS Laxman in Bengaluru on Sunday to take stock of the rehabilitation programme at the Centre of Excellence (CoE). India will be missing key players like pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (left knee swelling) on their two-game Test tour of Sri Lanka and left-handed batter B Sai Sudharsan (right big toe). Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep are undergoing rehab at the CoE for varied injuries. White-ball players like Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy are also currently recuperating at the high-performance facility in Bengaluru. The Sports Science team at the CoE has been working under immense pressure, especially without the presence of a permanent sports science head since the departure of Nitin Patel in early 2025. Secretary Saikia is already in Bengaluru and he will be taking stock of the situation around injuries by meeting with VVS Laxman. It is yet to be known whether head coach Gautam Gambhir or chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar will join that meeting via video conferencing, said a source familiar with the matter to IANS on Saturday. White-ball players like Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy are also currently recuperating at the high-performance facility in Bengaluru. The Sports Science team at the CoE has been working under immense pressure, especially without the presence of a permanent sports science head since the departure of Nitin Patel in early 2025. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sundays high-level meeting could be aimed at deciding seamless recovery pathways for marquee players ahead of upcoming international commitments. It is also understood that a press conference could also be held at the CoE on Sunday to address concerns over recurring injuries in the mens set-up. Article Source: IANS
Ajinkya Rahane The eternal crisis-man with a penchant for the big stage
When the mood seized him, which wasnt too often but not rare as hens teeth either, Rahane cut a dashing picture at the crease, powerful off the backfoot and felicitous off the front. Lords and the MCG seemed to bring the best out of him, maybe because he is a strong student of history and knows the prestige attached with performing optimally there
Tilak Varma to lead South Zone in Duleep Trophy
India discard Karun Nair is also a part of the squad along with upcoming India A batter S.K. Rasheed
Devdutt Padikkal assured his spot in India's playing XI for the opening Test with a stylish century on the second day of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI

