.jpg?im=Resize,height=373 "6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 - Kieron Pollard Created History In 2021 With 6 Sixes In Single Over; Check Video")
October 4: 8 international players celebrate their birthday
SLC Invitational T20 League 2022, Match 5: SLGY vs SLGR Dream11 Prediction, Match Preview, Key Players, Fantasy Tips
SL vs SA | Markram's 96 in vain as Spinners, Avishka help Lanka register a hard-fought win over Proteas
SL vs IND | 3rd T20: Wanindu Hasaranga leads Sri Lanka to first series win over India in 13 years
If you’re told that Sri Lanka will win the T20 series 2-1 and lose the ODI series 1-2 against India before the start of the tour, most definitely, you would have burst out laughing. There would have been nothing but excess optimism on the side of the person predicting such a strong Sri Lankan performance, while you would have backed all your arguments with non-contestable facts. Well, Cricket is a game of uncertainty and that any team on a given day can turn victorious irrespective of their past and future they potentially deserve are some of the age-old cliches of this game, and Sri Lanka dug deep to prove all of that right against India. On the night of the series decider, India were depleted once again with just five batsmen left to be picked from and the hosts buoyant after a strong win in the last game. India batted first after winning the toss in a decision that raised many eyebrows as it allowed Sri Lanka to attack their main weakness—a thin batting lineup. The problem compounded when an ever so impressive Dushmantha Chameera, who has walked away from the series with reputation several notch higher found the outside edge of Shikhar Dhawan’s bat to send Indian skipper back to pavilion on the first ball. By then, Ruturaj Gaikwad had already played a delightful cover drive but could not get going rapidly. His news partner Devdutt Padikkla struggled to get off the hook straight away and the mounting dot balls kept telling on him. Padikkal bats in a much organised manner but he really felt the pressure when Sri Lanka squeezed him for runs and ultimately led to his demise in a bizarre manner. Sanju Samson has not been able to read Sri Lanka’s emerging rockstar—Wanindu Hasaranga’s deliveries one bit in all the four matches he has played, and the story could not have been any similar. This time though, it was quite short as well and the leg spinner celebrating his 24th birthday sent back both Samson and Gaikwad in the same over to put a big question mark on India’s batting. Nitish Rana too failed to cash in on the perfect opportunity to become a hero while Bhuvneshwar Kumar fell in an attempt of making things happen with the bat. Hasaranage picked as many as four wickets, giving away only nine runs and India were staring at their historic lowest total in T20Is. Kuldeep Yadav batted with control and steered India past their lowest total in T20 international history but the score was not enough to stop highly-spirited hosts. India needed nothing short of a miracle to defend the score of 82 and Sri Lanka were in no mood to let go of the opportunity to win their first series against India in 13 years. Rahul Chahar provided India with timely breakthroughs but Sri Lanka had the luxury of time at the crease and in the end, they could nullify all India had to throw at them. India were plagued by Covid-19 and the writing was always on the wall with just five specialist batsmen to choose from in the last two games on the tour. However, those five batsmen left a lot to be desired and also did not enhance their reputation one bit. For Sri Lanka, the leadership of Shanaka brought much-needed calmness and assurance in the leadership position as he allowed people such as Hasaranga and Chmaika Karunaratne to take the centrestgae and own the flow of the game. The Sri Lankan team management deserves all the plaudits for turning things quickly after losing the second ODI of the series from a winning position.
SL vs IND | 1st T20I: India eye T20I series after the ODI honours, hosts look to carry the momentum
The manner in which the ODI series was finished would not have been liked by the Indian team. But even during the loss, the Indian teams brought out p[ositives in form of Rahul Chahar and Chetan Sakariya’s bowling. The batting looked a bit wobbly as it was even during the second ODI and this is something that the team would look to work at. The hosts though would be happy to finally finish off a game, having not been able to execute the same in the second ODI. Dasun Shanaka and his coach Mickey Arthur would be planning to get along that momentum even in the shortest format as the players remain the same and so does the venue. Last chance for Indian batters to shine The Indian batters haven’t been able to take the opportunity to shine in the first three games as none of the batters have been able to score a century, whether batting first or second. Prithvi Shaw has had two scores of 49 and has got out playing such shots which are considered nothing but extravagant in cricketing terms. Similarly, the captain on the tour, Shikhar Dahaw2an has not been able to pull off anything significant either. The only batter to have mustered something fruitful so far is Suryakumar Yadav and as a result, he might be preparing himself to head to England to join the Test squad. But before that, he might just be able to take part in the first two T20Is as he doesn’t have to undergo quarantine because of a bubble to bubble transfer. The other batters, be it Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya really need to up their game if they are looking to put any sort of pressure on the current holders of the positions they are looking to grab in the Indian side. Spin to win for Sri Lanka In both the games, the one in which Sri Lanka came close, but couldn’t win as well as in the last ODI in which they did win, it is their spinners that have got them to a strong position. While Wanindu Hasaranga was injured and couldn’t take part in the last game, his replacement Akila Dhananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan replacement Praveen Jayawickrama did exceedingly well to bowl India out for the first time in the series. Ramesh Mendis, who also got a place in the XI in the last game has shown that he could be good with both the bat and the ball and hence till the time Hasarnaga is unfit, he could be Sri Lanka’s choice in the XI. Sri Lanka vs India: Match Details Match Number- 1st T20I Date and Time: July 25, 2021, 08:00 pm IST and Local, 02:30 pm GMT Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV Pitch Report Over the last few matches, the Colombo pitch has shown that it has got a lot of help for the spinners. Batters find it difficult to score quick runs initially. But once they are settled, they can score quick runs. Anyhow, a total of 160-170 could be par at this venue in the first innings. Weather Report There is more than a 60% chance of rain between 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm and hence the outfield can be slow for the game that starts at 08:00 pm. Chances of rain post eight are below 30% meaning that we would surely have a game at our hands. Team News Sri Lanka The Sri Lankan team would like to maintain the winning playing XI as with only four overs to bowl, the skipperShanka can chance his arms with the ball as well to become the third pace option alongside Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera. That way they can play all their spinners. Probable XI Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama India After trying their bench strength in the last game, the team would look to go back to basics although Devdutt Padikkla deserves a chance. Whether or not he will get is something that only time will tell. We can surely see at least 5-6 changes in the playing XI from the last ODI in the team. Ishan Kishan would most likely be back as a wicketkeeper, but Sanju Smason might still get a game as Manish Pandey’s replacement at number four in the T20Is. Krunal Pandya, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar too will be back. Whether Rahul Chaharwould is opted for instead of Kuldeep Yadav is another speculation and whether Skaariya would play or not is something that could not be guessed. Probable XI Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal Fantasy XI Avishka Fernando, Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Rahul Chahar, Captain: Suryakumar Yadav Vice-Captain: Avishka Fernando
SL vs IND | 3rd ODI: Avishka Fernando, spinners stop India's juggernaut, salvage Sri Lanka's pride
Sri Lanka finally broke the shackles of dismal performances and wasting opportunities and won the third and final ODI of the series against India by three wickets. The series, however, was already won by India in the last game. Chasing a middling score of 226 runs from a 47-over long innings, Sri Lanka were off to a decent start as Avishka Fernando once again showed his potential with the bat. Minod Bhnauka looked under pressure and perished in the process of trying to break free. The match-winning partnership came between Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, as the duo put a magnificent 109 runs partnership to show Sri Lanka hope of consolation in the series. However, just when things started to go beyond India’s grasp, debutant Chetan Sakariya employed all his guile and deception to bring them back into the game. He first dismissed Rajapaksa and then dismissed Dhanajaya de Silva with a beauty of a slower ball that kicked off from a length. Sri Lanka’s batting effort was then stabilised by Charith Asalanka, who too like Fernando has proved his mettle with the bat in the series. Another debutant Rahul Chahar broke through twice in the late phase of the game to keep India in the hunt but a defiant Fernando at one end did not let India enforce a capitulation of Sri Lanka’s batting order. The bowling from the Indians was not under par but the batsmen left a lot to be covered with their inept stroke play in the first half of the game. After the early departure of the skipper Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Snaju Samson, who finally made his ODI debut after missing out on the first two ODIs, played delightful strokes. Samson, in particular, was sublime in his timing through the off side as inside out drives over cover were a frequent sight. However, none of them could convert their starts into substantial scores and both will feel dejected having ended the series without a three-figure score to their name. India looked on the path of a big score with Sanju Samson and Manish Pandey at the crease at the halfway point. However, Pandey’s loose waft outside off stump that anyway wouldn’t have yielded anything but a single, ended his another frustrating stay the crease. This could well be his last appearance for India with the cut-throat competition in the side and he would be kicking himself for not making the most of the opportunities in all the games of the series. Suryakumar Yadav played some delightful strokes and his short stay at the crease created enough drama and chaos for entertainment. However, he too did not help India a great deal and when Hardik Pandya went for, India’s debutants were left to bail the side out of trouble. For Sri Lanka, Akila Dananjaya and debutant Praveen Jayawickrama were the pick of the bowlers and both of them picked three wickets each. Chameera was rapid as usual and picked two wickets to end the lower order’s resistance. Debutantes among batsmen, Krishnappa Gowtham and Nitish Rana failed to shine in the first attempt at international cricket and left Indian bowlers to do a lot for than they would have desired on not so helpful pitch. India would be disappointed for not winning the series 3-0 and in the insight will value the match-winning innings of Deepak Chahar a lot more than it was done. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would be delighted at putting up a clinical performance in all the departments of the game and getting their second win of the year. Now, the caravan will move to the three-match T20 series which will be played at the same venue from Sunday, July 25.
SL vs IND | 1st ODI Preview: On downward curve, hosts face uphill task against high-spirited India
Why should the world focus on a six-match series against a Sri Lanka side that have become a walkover over the last few years? Specifically, for India and their fans, why should they shift their focus on a six-match series sandwiched between the big ICC World Test Championship final and a big Test series against England? Why should Indian fans worry so much about a series that will not help selectors in finding clarity of a lot of their doubts leading up to the ICC World T20? Well, they should shift their focus on the upcoming series between India and Sri Lanka because a lot of the players who will feature in the series will go on and write the future path of Indian cricket. And, they can see no other place than Sri Lanka to make sure they don’t go down the route the Sri Lankan side has gone after the departure of their star players. India will be without some of their best match-winners over the last many years such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah but that gives a window of opportunity for the players to step into their shoes and show they are ready to earn promotion whenever there is an opportunity. So, if not the whole world, the series is critical for the fortunes of these Indian players to establish their credentials while in Indian jersey. For Sri Lanka, it has been a free-wheeling downward slide after the departure of their big names and the process of transition is becoming too long to be tenable. Their batsmen have failed to put up consistent performances both home and away while the bowlers have not been able to put their hands up with discipline. There is no dearth of talent though as the side has shown remarkable performances to win a Test series in South Africa which is one of the most daunting tasks in the world of cricket. They were also the lone team that defeated an all-strength Indian side in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy. However, these performances have been very far and few and most recently the side slipped to their maiden series loss at the hands of Bangladesh. There have been revolving doors for the leadership as Sri Lanka Cricket has not given a longer rope for individuals to shape the team as per their understanding of the game. The selectors can be blamed for impatience but an ever so degrading level of performances really test their nerves as Sri Lanka have slipped from a formidable side to win the ICC World T20 2014 to a side forced to qualify before advancing into the main round of the World T20 later this year. The extent of their slide, especially against India, can well be established by the fact that their last win over them in ODIs at home came way back in 2012 when India were captained by MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma was yet to arrive at the international stage as a world-beating batsman. For this series too, the selectors have gone ahead with Dasun Shanaka as the leader of the pack although the move has to do with Kusal Perera’s injury. So, when Shikhar Dhawan and Dasun Shanaka will walk out for the toss at the R Premadasa Stadium tomorrow, the players in both the dressing rooms will have their objectives and ambitions clear in their heads irrespective of how little or more the world is giving their attention to the series. Sri Lanka vs India: Match Details Date – Friday, July 18, 2021 Time – 03:00 PM IST Venue – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Broadcast: Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network Pitch report The pitches at the ground have been supportive to batsmen with the true nature of bounce and pace. There will be a delayed start and hence the role of dew can’t be downplayed completely. There could well be some swing on offer under lights but the team bowling second will be wiery of the detrimental effects of dew on spinners. India won’t mind batting second as they can bank on combatting Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers while allowing their spinners to come in the game in the afternoon phase of the game. Team News Sri Lanka Sri Lanka are already without their skipper Kusal Perera and a pacer Baniru Fernando for the series. Apart from the duo, there are no reports of injury from the camp and the hosts are all set to field an all-strength squad to face India. Captain Shanka along with the vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Wanindu Hassaranga will take the batting responsibility for the hosts. On the other hand, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana and Chamika Karunaratne will form the pace department of the side. Lakshan Sandakan and Akila Dananjaya will take the onus of spin bowling against Indian batting order. India India have a full squad available to choose from for the first ODI and the team management led by Rahul Dravid and Shikhar Dhawan will have to make tough choices. Prithvi Shaw is certain to partner Dhawan at the top of the order likely to be followed by Suryakumar Yadav at the number three position. There will be a toss-up between Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey and Ishan Kishan for the fourth and fifth position in the batting order. However, Pandey and Samson are likely to get the nod ahead of Kishan at the start of the series. Pandya brother Hardik and Krunal will feature at the number six and seventh position while the team will have to take a call on the number of spinners they want to field. Bhuvneshwar kumar will spearhead the bowling attack in a possible three-man pronged pace attack comprising Navdeep Saini and one among Chetan Sakariya and Deepak Chahar. Strongest XI Sri Lanka Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama India Shikhar Dhawan(C), Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Sanju Samson(WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI: Dream XI/ fantasy XI Sanju Samson (WK), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Dasun Shanaka, Avishka Fernando, Hardik Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Navdeep Saini Captain: Shikhar Dhawan Vice-captain: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
WI vs SL | 1st T20I: Kieron Pollard hits six sixes in one over, Akila Dananjaya takes hattrick
Kieron Pollard has hit six sixes in an over and became the only second batsmen to hit all balls of an over the fence in international T20 cricket after Yuvraj Singh. He smashed Sri Lanka’s spinner Akhila Dhananjaya to all parts of the ground in the sixth over of the first T20I between Sri Lanka and West Indies at Coolidge. He became only the third batsmen in international cricket to hit as many sixes in one over after Harshelle Gibbs and Yuvraj. Interestingly, Dhananjaya had taken a hattrick in his previous over dismissing Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran on three consecutive deliveries in the third over of the West Indies.