IND vs SL XI: श्रीलंका XI के खिलाफ वॉर्म-अप मैच से पहले बढ़ी टीम इंडि…

India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026: भारत और श्रीलंका के बीच 2 मैचों की टेस्ट सीरीज की शुरुआत 15 अगस्त से होगी। इस सीरीज से पहले टीम इंडिया को श्रीलंका XI के खिलाफ आज से एक प्रैक्टिस मैच खेलना है। पहले यह वॉर्म-अप मैच 4 दिन का होने वाला था, लेकिन बाद में इसे घटाकर 3 दिन का कर दिया गया। इस मैच के जरिए टीम इंडिया के पास रेड बॉल फॉर्मेट में ढलने और अपने कॉम्बिनेशन को आजमाकर प्लेइंग 11 चुनने का मौका मिल जाएगा। लेकिन बारिश की वजह से टीम इंडिया का यह प्लान फेल हो सकता है और तैयारी भी अधूरी रह सकती है। इसके अलावा शुभमन गिल की चोट ने टीम इंडिया की मुश्किलें बढ़ा दी हैं। उनकी जगह केएल राहुल कप्तानी करने उतरे।

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Bodoland FC bounced back from their opening defeat with an emphatic 3-0 victory over FC1 in a Group F clash of the Durand Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Thursday. fish-roadgame.com

Robinson Rendon opened the scoring before second-half substitutes Rituraj Mohan and Aron Thapa added late goals to secure Bodoland’s first win of the tournament.

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Before kick-off, FC1 captain Ikhlaq Fayaz presented a sapling to Bodoland skipper Halicharan Narzary as part of the club’s water conservation and climate awareness initiative during its debut Durand Cup campaign.

Second-Half Surge Seals Comfortable Victory

After missing two earlier opportunities, Rendon finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, heading home from Narzary’s cross to give Bodoland the lead.

Head coach Vikash Panthi’s tactical changes proved decisive as substitutes Mohan and Thapa struck in the 78th and 82nd minutes respectively, turning a narrow advantage into a convincing win.

Group F Race Remains Wide Open

The victory lifts Bodoland FC to three points from two matches, keeping them firmly in contention despite carrying a negative goal difference following their heavy opening defeat to NorthEast United.

FC1 also remain on three points after two games, occupying second place ahead of Bodoland on goal difference thanks to their opening-match victory.

NorthEast United continue to lead Group F unbeaten, while Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC are still searching for their first points of the campaign.

The post Bodoland FC Cruise Past FC1 In Durand Cup appeared first on SSI FANZINE.

Debasis Sen, Colombo

Hashan Tillakaratne’s finest Test innings against India came in 2001, when he crafted a magnificent unbeaten 136 in the third Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. A key member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad, the former left-handed batter has since served in several coaching roles with Sri Lanka Cricket and the Bangladesh women’s team. After spending nearly 18 months in the United States as a cricket coach, Tillakaratne has returned to his hometown.

The 59-year-old caught up with this correspondent at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka. He spoke about how Jasprit Bumrah’s absence will be a huge setback for India, his admiration for Shubman Gill’s batting, the challenges current Indian batters face against quality spin, the impact of Kusal Mendis’ injury on Sri Lanka, and several other key talking points ahead of the series.

How big a setback is Jasprit Bumrah’s absence for India?

Hashan Tillakaratne: It’s certainly good news for Sri Lanka because we all know how skilful Bumrah is. I think he is one of the best bowlers in world cricket today. His absence gives Sri Lanka an advantage. That said, we cannot take India lightly. They still have some excellent players. Sri Lanka are coming into the series after a successful tour of the West Indies, and we have all the ingredients to go all the way. If we play to our potential, we can certainly be victorious.

Shubman Gill will lead India in a Test series in Sri Lanka for the first time. How do you rate him as a batter?

Hashan Tillakaratne: I love watching him bat. He is technically very sound and plays beautifully on good batting tracks. This series will be a real test for him on turning pitches. It will be interesting to see how he performs in these conditions.

India also has the experienced KL Rahul. What are your thoughts on India’s batting unit overall?

Hashan Tillakaratne: We all know Indian batters are technically very sound and capable of adapting to different conditions. I played a lot of cricket against India, and from Sunil Gavaskar’s era onwards, Indian batting has always been technically strong. We respect them, but this is a new series with several new players. Experience is crucial when playing on turning tracks in Sri Lanka.

What kind of challenge will Prabath Jayasuriya and Sri Lanka’s spinners present?

Hashan Tillakaratne: Yes, we have seen that India has had some problems against quality spin on turning tracks. In both the New Zealand and South Africa series, they found it difficult. Apart from a few senior players, some members of this squad will be playing their first Test series in Sri Lanka. It’s never easy. If we prepare well, we have a very good chance because they do not have many experienced players in these conditions. Sri Lanka is one of the most difficult places in the world to play Test cricket. Much will depend on the pitches, but as a former Sri Lankan cricketer, I am backing my team.

Galle traditionally assists spin, although fast bowlers have also succeeded there. How do you assess the conditions?

Hashan Tillakaratne: Yes, Galle usually offers plenty of turn, but reverse swing can also become a major factor if the fast bowlers use the conditions well. Timing is very important. If you know when to introduce your seamers, reverse swing can be extremely effective. So, while spin will play a big role, fast bowlers can also make a significant impact.

Do you think Sri Lanka have enough quality spinners compared to previous generations?

Hashan Tillakaratne: Against a team like India, we cannot rely on part-time bowlers. We have to pick our best specialist spinners. Apart from Prabath Jayasuriya, we have a few good spin options. It all depends on the team combination. Whether we go with one fast bowler and three spinners or two seamers and two spinners, we must field our strongest bowling attack.

How big a setback would it be for the hosts if Kusal Mendis is unavailable?

Hashan Tillakaratne: Personally, I think he is our best batter at the moment. I hope he will recover in time for the Test series. If not, there are a few players who are ready to earn their Test caps.

Lahiru Udara has impressed since making his international debut and has been in great form in the ongoing Lanka Premier League. How do you see him as a prospect?

Hashan Tillakaratne: Lahiru is naturally gifted. He plays his shots with confidence, and scoring that big hundred against the West Indies has boosted him further. At the same time, we cannot underestimate Pathum Nissanka. He is another technically sound batter. Playing on turning pitches is always difficult. You need to know how to handle spin, rotate the strike and score consistently. Whichever team plays spin better will have a great chance of winning the series.

India also has quality spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja. How do you rate their spin attack?

Hashan Tillakaratne: As I said earlier, we cannot take India’s spinners lightly. Jadeja, in particular, can be very effective in Sri Lankan conditions because of his pace, variations and vast experience. On the other hand, Dinesh Chandimal has been our most consistent batter over the last few years and leads our batting unit. It should be a fascinating contest between the two sides.

Finally, one still remembers your magnificent 136 against India at the SSC, a Test in which Sri Lanka had four centurions.

Hashan Tillakaratne: That’s history now. We always enjoyed the challenge of playing against India because the contests were extremely competitive. Cricket has evolved, and we have to move with the times. I am really looking forward to this Test series.

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The post Bumrah’s absence gives Sri Lanka an advantage: Hashan Tillakaratne appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

London [UK], August 7 (ANI): England batter Ollie Pope, dropped from the Test squad after a poor Ashes tour to Australia, said that his recall to the side for Pakistan Tests feels like a “debut call" and has his eyes set on next year’s Ashes at home, saying that he still has a lot to prove.

Pope, England’s long-time number three, earned a recall for the first two Tests against Pakistan, with a home three-match series starting from August 19 onwards. He was poor during England’s 1-4 loss to the Aussies, scoring just 125 runs in six innings at an average of just over 20.

Having lost his number three spot to Jacob Bethell, he now returns to a different set-up, with his Test skipper Ben Stokes having retired from international cricket and now Stephen Fleming taking over the coaching role from Brendon McCullum.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox would bat at number three and Dan Lawrence would replace Stokes at number six. Pope, who led England in five Tests, filling in for Stokes, returns as a utility pick with an experience of 64 Tests, with only Joe Root having played more Tests.

After being omitted from the side, Pope grinded it out in County colours for Surrey, scoring 510 runs in 12 innings at an average of 56.66, with a century and four fifties.

“The frustrating thing I had in the county stuff was that I got out for about 70 about four times (83*, 69, 76, 73). In my mind I was kind of like, ‘am I gonna be kicking myself whenever selection comes back around that I did not make them 150, 170?," said Pope, reflecting on his county performances as quoted by Cricinfo.

Pope reflected that the last year and a half has been a “kind of rollercoaster" for him in Test cricket.

“It felt like a debut call yesterday. Something I was hoping for but wasn’t expecting. I might not be first name on the team sheet, but it is kind of one step closer to where I want to be," he said.

“I played in all the places in the world. I have had experiences of doing well, and know what I need to do now more than ever to do well in these conditions. What I was missing was that series where you go hundred, hundred, hundred. It is just making sure I give myself the best chance to do that whenever I do get the nod," he added.

Pope said that he understood why he was omitted from the team for the New Zealand Tests and everything the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the team management has done over the last year and a half, particularly a review of the Ashes outing in Australia.

“I understand the change (in the team at the start of the summer). I understand everything that they have done over time. And, I guess, whatever they have changed over the last year or so, the main thing is whatever they think the best team is now. The fact that I am in the frame for that is a massive positive," he said.

“It is obviously great having their confidence to pick me … I am just focusing on making sure my game’s as ready as it can be. And if I do get a go in this series, making sure I have smoothed out the technique, and got my head in the right spot," he added.

Having scored just 282 runs in 16 innings at an average of 17.62, with a best score of 46, Pope’s long-term focus is next year’s Ashes series at home.

“I feel like I have still got a lot to prove against Australia. The winter, look… it was tough. I had two, two bad games, which cost me my spot in the team, and the feeling out there was shocking… I cannot really swear on this.. it was a pretty bang average feeling," he said.

Pope said that while there was a perception that his dismissals in Australia were a mental thing, he disagrees and feels his technique and game were not where he wanted them to be against the “best in the world" and it got him “exposed".

“There’s an Ashes next summer. I played a game with a dislocated shoulder here (Lord’s), and I played one game at Edgbaston, and I feel like I have still got a lot to prove against Australia," he said.

“The longer-term goal is to play in that. But, look – I have not made it back into the XI yet, and I have got a lot of work to do. But the one thing that I never wanted to happen was to be written off before I was 30," he signed off. (ANI)

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