3 Key Player battles to watch out for 3rd T20

Karan Rawat
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3 Key Player battles to watch out for 3rd T20

IND vs SL: The first two matches in the ongoing IND vs SL T20 series have ended in India’s favour, as the visitors have outplayed the hosts completely in both games. Team India have bagged yet another T20I series.

Now the third and final game of the series is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (July 30) at the similar venue, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. India might look to make some changes in their playing XI. Some players have not gotten a game, and they are expected to come in.

That might give Sri Lanka an edge in this match. The hosts will hope that they can avoid the series whitewash. We also have some player battles to watch out for in the third IND vs SL game, which will make this match interesting.

IND vs SL: Three Player battle to Watch out for in the 3rd T20I

1. Suryakumar Yadav vs Matheesha Pathirana

IND vs SL 3 Key Player battles to watch out for in 2nd T20
IND vs SL

The Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has scored most runs for India in the IND vs SL series. He has made 84 runs at an average of 42 and a blistering strike rate of 221.05. Definitely, he will be a big wicket in the game.

As he has shown in the two games, he has varities of sweep shots, which he is playing pretty well against the Sri Lankan spinners. So it will be important to get him out early.

Sri Lanka have used Matheesha Pathirana well against him. The pacer has dismissed the Indian captain in both games. So that will be important. If Pathirana gets him early, India will be under pressure.

2. Pathum Nissanka vs Ravi Bishnoi

Pathum Nissanka has been in red-hot form and is the leading scorer in the IND vs SL T20 series. He has scored 111 runs at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 154.17.

His runs have given Sri Lanka something to fight in the game. He has done well against the pacers but got out to spinners in two games.

Nissanka struggled against Ravi Bishnoi in the last game and got out. Bishnoi bowls quicker and gets the ball to turn. That might put Nissanka under doubt. So this will be an important battle in IND vs SL game.

3. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Wanindu Hasaranga

IND vs SL Three Player battle to Watch out for in the 3rd T20I
3 Key Player battles to watch out for 3rd T20 3

Yashavi Jaiswal has been in blistering form. He is not playing big innings, but he is playing cameos at the top, which are giving the team good starts. His 15-ball 30 in the rain-hit second match put India ahead.

That’s what helped India to win the game. Jaiswal will be very important in the third match as well. But he has gotten out to Wanindu Hasaranga in both matches.

That’s what will be in his mind as well. Hasaranga has deceived him well, and Jaiswal is not reading him completely. So he needs to worry about the Sri Lankan leg-spinner.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav on verge of breaking Rohit Sharma’s All-time IND vs SL T20I record

IND vs SL: Sanju a Flop Show—Should Sanju Samson be picked ahead of Gill in T20s? Parag and Rinku are to be sent a bit early in the Gambhir era

Ankaj Jha
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IND vs SL: There was immense speculation about not handing Sanju Samson chances often in the starting XI. Even there was immense controversy over Agarkar and Gambhir’s decision to not have him in the ODI side despite the Champions Trophy in sight.

However, yesterday, Sanju Samson was given a chance to be part of Gambhir’s starting XI, as he replaced the injured Shubman Gill, who missed the second T20I due to a back spasm. There remained only joy and rejoicing when fans saw him in the starting XI.

Gill
Gill misses Second T20I due to back spasm (Image: NDTV Sports)


Sanju had had one of the best IPL seasons of his career, as he scored a stunning 531 runs with the Rajasthan Royals. Though Sanju was not seen much in the domestic cycle, as he was seen traveling with the Indian team across all formats, he never made it to the starting XI, except on very scant occasions.

Samson before this match had a decent record as he scored a ton in the ODI format in the last international 50-over match he played for India and also scored a 50+ score in his last T20I appearance against Zimbabwe in the 5th T20I.

With much of the hype, Samson was sent in to bat at the top of the order alongside young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sri Lanka, having been put to bat first by Suryakumar Yadav after he elected to bowl after winning the toss, put on board a total of 161.

Once again the Sri Lankan middle order had no answer to the Indian spinners, as Bishnoi struck thrice and Axar twice, before Pandya too struck twice with two big wickets of Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis. Restricted to a below-par total, rain interrupted the play as under the DLS rule, the total was revised to 78 runs in 8 overs.

However, failing to stand up to everyone’s expectations, Samson, who replaced Gill for the second T20I, got out on the very first delivery of Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana. Sri Lanka is regular to start with the off-spinner, and Samson could not resist him, as the Royals skipper was left baffled as Theekshana’s ball rattled his stumps.

Stunning Kamindu Mendis
Sri Lankan Kamindu Mendis stuns all as he bowls with left arm against Surya and right arm against Pant – fans remain awestricken (Image: Sports Tak)


After such a disappointing show in the first game under head coach Gautam Gambhir, Samson might lose his chances to feature further; however, with no likely options as openers, Sanju might get another go if Gill fails to be fit before the third T20I on 30th. However, as said, even the best players go through bad patches. Samson should be made to constantly neglect his flops, as he is sure to excel given the chance to play for long periods.

However, Gambhir, who is often known for his unconventional antics, especially his experiments with the opening pair, the biggest of them being pairing Sunil Narine for KKR, might try new combinations of players like Shivam Dube or Riyan Parag alongside young Jaiswal. This would also hand the likes of Parag and Rinku more game time in the Gambhir era.

ALSO READ: IND vs SL: Gautam Gambhir back with a bang—Replaces injured Shubman Gill with Sanju Samson in the Second T20I

IND vs SL: Gautam Gambhir back with a bang—Replaces injured Shubman Gill with Sanju Samson in the Second T20I

Ankaj Jha
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IND vs SL: India has initiated the Gambhir era, as they are about to play the second T20I against the hosts at Pallekele. The match was initially delayed due to rain, but the weather turned clear when Suryakumar Yadav and Charith Asalanka stepped onto the field for a toss.

The Indian captain won the toss and elected to bowl against the Lankan side. India already has a 1-0 lead over the hosts. During the toss, Surya mentioned about Shubman Gill missing the 2nd T20I due to a back spasm. He also talked about Sanju Samson being included as the replacement for the India opener.

Sanju Samson was last seen playing a T20 international game in the final match of the Zimbabwe tour, where he was the sole best batter, scoring his second international T20 fifty. He was also a part of India’s World Cup-winning squad in the United States and West Indies, though he did not get a game.

Samson was a part of T20 World Cup winning squad
Sanju Samson was a part of T20 World Cup winning squad (Image: myKhel)


Gill, on the other hand, faced a T20 World Cup snub after having a disappointing run over the past few months in the shortest format of the game. However, Gill seemed to have a change of gears when he batted in the First T20I against Sri Lanka, as under new coach Gambhir’s first game he scored a stunning 30 off 14 balls.

Pant picked over Samson for Sri Lanka T20s min
Pant picked over Samson for Sri Lanka T20s (Image: Wisden and News18)


Samson did not get a chance to be in the starting XI for the Indian side once again, as Rishabh Pant was prioritized over Sanju as the wicketkeeper-batsman. He missed on the starting XI of the first T20I and didn’t seem much of a chance to feature for India this time as well. With only Gill and Jaiswal on the side, Gambhir relied only on the two youngsters for the opening role.

Samson had a stunning IPL season; for the first time in his career, he scored a stunning 531 runs as he led the Rajasthan Royals to the knockouts once again. Samson has been picked by Gambhir for the second T20I, though his place in the batting order will be a unique matter to see, as India will likely see him in an opening role.

ALSO READ: IND vs SL: With a disastrous performance from the middle-order What will be Jayasuriya’s ploy in the 2nd T20I
IND vs. SL 2nd T20I Playing XI: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Md. Siraj.

Women’s Asia Cup: SL-W created history by winning their first title in nine years, defeating the defending Champions, IND-W

Ankaj Jha
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India Women and Sri Lanka Women both qualified for the finals of the Women’s Asia Cup held in Dambulla. Going by the history of the Women’s Asia Cup, India has had a great legacy, as they were the only champions crowned for over 6 editions until 2016.

It was only in 2018 that Bangladesh women beat India women to win their only major international title. India Women under Harmanpreet Kaur retained their title in 2022 and were also considered the favourites for the Asia Cup final in 2024.

Sri Lanka got past Pakistan Women in a majorly contested semi-final, while India Women seemed too tough an opponent for Bangladesh Women, as both teams had a face-off in the Finals. This was India’s chance to increase their title cabinet to 8, while Sri Lanka women put on a stunning performance to win their first-ever Asia Cup title.

A Summary of the IND W vs. SL W Match of the Women’s Asia Cup

Sri Lanka Women put on the Indian Women to bat, where Indian opener Smriti Mandhana put on a fighting start to the Indian innings as other batters fell to the Sri Lankan attack. Despite facing trouble upfront, Mandhana led from the front, as India Women laid a good score behind Jemmimah Rodrigues’ and Richa Ghosh’s decent finish to the total.

Indias two lower order gems
India Women’s two lower order geniuses (Image: NDTV Sports)


Coming on to chase a 166-run total, Sri Lankan opener Gunaratne fell quickly, as the Lankan skipper Athapaththu led from the front with 61 runs to his tally. However, India’s women seemed to have a bounce-back chance when the skipper fell to ace Indian spinner Deepti Sharma, though Sri Lanka’s young talent Harshitha Samarawickrama, alongside all-rounder Dilhari, scored runs quickly towards the back of the innings.

Harshitha leads from the front
Harshitha took command after the Skipper departed (Image: News18)


Both the batters put on a partnership of 73 runs for the third wicket, which gave Sri Lanka Women the perfect finish they needed. With this, Chamari Athapaththu’s side lifted the Women’s Asia Cup title for the first time at home soil.

Stunning Performers of the Women’s Asia Cup

The Lankan opener and skipper is the best batsman of the competition, as she went on to top the table, going past his competitors by a huge margin. Athapaththu, who has been in stunning form over the past few years across competitions, reportedly scored 304 runs in the 5 games played in the Asia Cup 2024.

While India’s experienced and most deserving spin bowling all-rounder, Deepti Sharma, who is often considered their best, picked the most wickets with 10 wickets from 5 games. Lankan Women’s Kavisha Dilhari also did not end far behind, as she picked nine wickets as well.

Harshitha Samarawickrama was awarded the Player of the Match award for her stunning show put on in the finals, while Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu was awarded Player of the Series as she was undoubtedly the pioneer reason behind Lankan women’s major success in the tournament.

ALSO READ: IND vs SL: With a disastrous performance from the middle-order What will be Jayasuriya’s ploy in the 2nd T20I

IND vs SL: With a disastrous performance from the middle-order What will be Jayasuriya’s ploy in the 2nd T20I

Ankaj Jha
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IND vs SL: The India tour of Sri Lanka is not only one of the most vital series for team India, as they mark the era of Gautam Gambhir and new skipper Suryakumar Yadav, but also this series marks the beginning of an era of revival for the Lankan side.

The Sri Lankan side did not seem to be even the side that was once one of the most dominant teams in the sport. They underperformed in the Asia Cup first, followed by a weak performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, where they faced humiliation from even many minor teams.

Their recent most disgusting performance came in the T20 World Cup in the United States this year, when they lost all matches except a match against Holland and hence faced group stage exit without even qualifying for the Super-8.

After this humiliation, Head Coach Chris Silverwood and Advisor Mahela Jayawardene both resigned from their roles, though nothing was pinned on them for their weak performance. Still, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board appointed veteran cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya as their interim coach.

Sri Lanka’s performance in the First T20I

The first match saw Asalanka leading them from the front, as he has been recently appointed as the new captain of the Lankan team. India put on a total of 213 in the first innings, despite Pathirana’s stunning four-wicket haul. The Lankan openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka put on a stunning opening stand, followed by Kusal Perera, as they took the score to a comfortable 140/1.

Then came the Indian spinners and the men from the Lankan island, who faced trouble with their middle order; wickets started to fall like dried leaves, as Sri Lanka soon found their three wickets falling in quick succession as Axar and Bishnoi struck in their last overs each.

India tour of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Squad for T20Is

Sanath Jayasuriya faced early setbacks as Sri Lanka lost their two-star pacers, Thusara and Chameera, due to injuries as they were replaced by Madhushanka and Asitha Fernando, respectively. Jayasuriya will be likely to make some changes to their middle order to set up a working XI for the side, who have faced serious trouble over the same.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20Is: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madhushanka, Binura Fernando.

ALSO READ: IND vs SL: With not many likely changes—India’s strongest playing XI for the 2nd T20I

Changes Likely to be Made by Sanath Jayasuriya in the Second T20I

Jayasuriya and Wellalage min
Jayasuriya might look to have Wellalage in the team (Image: India Today and the Island)

Jayasuriya might replace the likes of Kamindu Mendis with Avishka Fernando, as he might open alongside Nissanka, and Kusal Mendis can be demoted at no. 3, as he often doesn in the position as well. They might be likely to make another change in the form of Dunith Wellalage, who might come in place of Asitha Fernando, as he can add depth to the Lankan batting order.

Sri Lanka Likely Starting XI for the 2nd T20I:

  • Pathum Nissanka
  • Avishka Fernando
  • Kusal Mendis
  • Kusal Perera
  • Charith Asalanka (C)
  • Dasun Shanaka
  • Wanindu Hasaranga
  • Dunith Wellalage
  • Maheesh Theekshana
  • Matheesha Pathirana
  • Dilshan Madhushanka

IND vs SL: With not many likely changes—India’s strongest playing XI for the 2nd T20I

Ankaj Jha
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IND vs SL: India has initiated their first major tournament since their T20 World Cup triumph. The ideal beginning of the tournament has been for the Men in Blue, as they emerged victorious in the first game.

This series might not be one of the most crucial series on the international front, but from India’s point of view, this is a very vital outing, as this marks Gambhir’s first opening as Team India head coach. The series also features Suryakumar Yadav as India’s new T20I skipper; hence, this series remains a memorable outing for the veteran T20i batter as well.

A summary of India’s first T20I of the Sri Lanka tour

India played the first T20I at Pallekele, as Surya led India to a very thrilling victory. Sent in to bat first, India was led by the skipper alongside other openers and veteran wk-batter, Rishabh Pant. All scored runs at a very quick rate, as Surya remained the best batter with 58 runs.

On the bowling front, World Cup winners Siraj, Arshdeep, and Axar picked 5 wickets together to break the back of the Lankan batting order, as Riyan Parag picked 3 wickets to end their innings.

India’s tour of Sri Lanka T20I Squad

New Team India squad
Team India led by the new skipper (Image: Times Now)

INDIA Squad for T20Is of Sri Lanka Tour: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Md. Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Rinku Singh.

India’s strongest playing XI in the 2nd T20I

India is not likely to make many changes in the starting XI from the first T20I. Though the team picked did not seem to satisfy the Indian spectators, Gambhir had always been known for his unique antics and unconventional tactics, which often gave him great results.

As India does not have the like of any other opening pair, Gill and Jaiswal are supposed to retain their position. Surya was seen batting at No. 3, which is great for the veteran batter and the Indian side as well.

ALSO READ: IND vs SL: No resistance to Surya’s flow of runs despite captaincy’s role—likely the right decision made by Gambhir and co.

Dube and Samson
Parag counts over Dube and Samson for India (Image: myKhel)


With Pant and Pandya in the team, likely someone like Samson can be ideal at no. 4; however, with GG going for Riyan Parag, he can also be promoted up the order in order to hand him some game time with the willow.

Sundar might not be recently picked over Bishnoi; however, changes to the bowling deck might be made later in the series.

India’s Strongest Playing XI:

  • Shubman Gill
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • Suryakumar Yadav (C)
  • Riyan Parag
  • Rishabh Pant
  • Hardik Pandya
  • Rinku Singh
  • Axar Patel
  • Ravi Bishnoi
  • Arshdeep Singh
  • Mohammad Siraj

Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Players with Most Runs and Most Wickets (27 July) So Far in Asia Cup 2024 | Player Ranking 1 – 10

Rahul Chaube
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Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Players with Most Runs and Most Wickets (27 July) So Far in Asia Cup 2024 | Player Ranking 1 – 10

(27 July) Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Players with Most Runs and Most Wickets: The majority of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 has been completed but what left is the ‘ONE LAST DANCE’. India Women and Sri Lanka Women are in the finals of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 and here we are with the updated lists of Players with the Most Runs and Most Wickets So Far in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.

Cricbuzz quoted “India is to Asia Cup what Australia is to World Cup,” and this statement comes truly relevant in the present scenario. India Women are in their 9th final of the Asia Cup and this is a huge achievement in itself.

This season of Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 have been a low scoring tournament. A couple of batters have flourished but bowler are in joy on the slow pitches of Dumbulla. Here we are with the updated lists of Players with the Most Runs and Most Wickets So Far in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024:

Most Runs: Women’s Asia Cup 2024 – Player Ranking 1-10

Sri Lankan skipper and star batter Chamari Athapaththu is leading the team from the front. She is the most run-scorer of the tournament before the finals and seeing her lead, it feels like she is going to end the tournament with most runs individually.

Women's Asia Cup 2024: Players with Most Runs and Most Wickets (27 July) So Far in Asia Cup 2024 | Player Ranking 1 – 10
Most run-scorer Chamari Athapaththu

Shafali Verma, the most criticized cricket of Indian Women Cricket team for her rash style of batting has just shut the mouth of her trolls. She is India’s highest run-scorer and with 184 runs at an average of 61, she is ranked second on the list.

Smriti Mandhana is also there on the list at seventh spot and hopefully she is going to elevate her rankings in today’s game against Sri Lanka.

POSPlayerMatIngsRunsAvgSR4s6s
1Chamari Athapaththu44243121.50148.172613
2Shafali Verma4418461.33149.59253
3Gull Feroza4414949.67125.2122–
4Nigar Sultana43142142.0096.60132
5Murshida Khatun3313444.67108.94181
6Muneeba Ali4413165.50120.1819–
7Smriti Mandhana4311356.50143.04192
8Vishmi Gunaratne449130.33102.25112
9Nannapat Koncharoenkai338743.5096.6711–
10Samjhana Khadka338341.50145.6113–

Most Wickets: Women’s Asia Cup 2024 – Ranking 1 – 10

India’s Deepti Sharma is leading the Wicket taker’s chart in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. She has bowled 16 overs in four matches and has 9 wickets to her bag.

Deepti Sharma 11zon
Women's Asia Cup 2024: Players with Most Runs and Most Wickets (27 July) So Far in Asia Cup 2024 | Player Ranking 1 – 10 15

Sadia Iqbal of Pakistan was the most successful bowler for Pakistan where she too 8 wickets at an average of 8. Renuka Singh Thakur, India’s prime fast bowler is next in the list with 7 wickets.

Radha Yadav is another Indian on the list at number 5 with 6 wickets at an average of 13 and economy rate of just over 5.

POSPlayerMatOversBallsWktsAvgRuns4W
1Deepti Sharma416.09697.7870–
2Sadia Iqbal414.18588.00641
3Renuka Thakur Singh416.09679.8669–
4Kavisha Dilhari414.084710.7175–
5Radha Yadav415.090613.5081–
6Rabeya Khan412.072510.80541
7Nahida Akter415.090514.6073–
8Mahirah Izzati Ismail312.072514.8074–
9Kavisha Egodage311.066514.6073–
10Inoshi Priyadharshani413.078415.2561–

READ: Women’s Aisa Cup 2024: INDIA IN FINAL! India Women defeated Bangladesh Women and Qualified for the Finals

SOURCE- ACC OFFICIAL WEBSITE

3 Key Player battles to watch out for 2nd T20

Karan Rawat
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3 Key Player battles to watch out for 2nd T20

IND vs SL: The first T20 international between India and Sri Lanka ended in India’s favour as the hosts registered a 43-run win in the first game.

Team India have now a 1-0 lead in the IND vs SL T20 series with two matches left to play. The second game between the two teams will be played on Sunday (July 28).

This game will be played at Pallakele International Stadium. Both teams saw a good batting performance from their top order in the first game, but India bowled comparatively well.

There will be some key player battles in the second game as well, which will make the match even more interesting. Hence, we will talk here about the three key player battles in the second IND vs SL T20I.

IND vs SL: Three Player battle to Watch out for in the first T20I

1. Suryakumar Yadav vs Matheesha Pathirana

3 Key Player battles to watch out for in 1st T20
IND vs SL

The Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has a brilliant opening game. He slammed a 22-ball fifty and scored 58 off 26 balls, with 8 fours and two sixes. He was the best player from India.

But slammed every Sri Lankan bowler except Matheesha Pathirana. The pacer bowled his second-best career spell of 4/40 and restricted India’s middle overs.

He was bowling quick yorkers, which is not easy to hit. So this will be an important battle in the second IND vs SL clash.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Wanindu Hasaranga

India had a great start to the first IND vs SL game. They were flying with 74/1 after the powerplay, courtesy of a quick opening stand.

But what was pleasing for the Indian fans was how Yashasvi Jaiswal was  connecting the ball.

He played a brilliant cameo of 40 off 21, with five fours and two sixes. He was trying to hit every ball for boundaries.

However, he couldn’t line up Wanindu Hasaranga, who bowled well against him and deceived him to get Jaiswal out.

So this will be exciting to see how Jaiswal takes Hasaranga on in the second IND vs SL game.

3. Pathum Nissanka vs Arshdeep Singh 

IND vs SL 3 Key Player battles to watch out for in 2nd T20
IND vs SL

Pathum Nissanka has been in prime form for Sri Lanka and entered this series with runs under his belt in the LPL 2024. He showed that form in the opening games with a brilliant 79 off 48 balls.

So it will be important to dismiss him early. That’s where Arshdeep Singh will be important. He took 2/30 in the first game but was hit for two fours and one six by Nissanka. So it will be an important battle in the second IND vs SL game.

Also Read: IND vs SL: No resistance to Surya’s flow of runs despite captaincy’s role—likely the right decision made by Gambhir and co.

IND vs SL: No resistance to Surya’s flow of runs despite captaincy’s role—likely the right decision made by Gambhir and co.

Ankaj Jha
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IND vs SL: India has started their first international tour of the new head coach Gambhir’s era. The World Cup-winning team India has been in the buzz since they won the World Cup under coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma. After both the veterans stepped down from their positions, Surya was chosen as the skipper, and Gautam Gambhir, the IPL-winning mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, was chosen by the BCCI as India’s head coach till 2027.

Gambhir made remarkable yet controversial changes to the Indian team, especially the T20I side. His most contentious decision remained the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav, India’s leading T20I batter, as the new skipper, replacing Rohit Sharma. This took many by surprise, as the MI batter was chosen over the long-considered captaincy option, Hardik Pandya.

Controversial pick seeming to be the right decision made
Controversial pick seeming to be the right decision made (Image: News18)


Pandya was first seen with the Gujarat Titans as a skipper, as he won the title with them, while next, he had seen success with the Men in Blue as their occasional skipper on many occasions. Pandya has captained over 15 games for the India team in the shortest format, while Surya had stepped in for 6 games as well.

Foreseeing Pandya’s caliber, he was highly anticipated for the captaincy role; however, due to his lack of fitness, Suryakumar was chosen over him as the skipper. Surya was seen playing for the Men in Blue as their interim skipper for the Sri Lanka T20I tour in the First T20I.

IND vs SL 2024
IND vs SL: T20I series begins (Image: Times of India)


Surya came out to bat for India at No. 3 in the first T20I, with Gill and Jaiswal having given them a quick start. The newly appointed skipper had much over his shoulders, as he not only had to prove his worth as a captain or to keep his standards as India’s top T20I batter but also gain the praise of fans who were disappointed over Pandya not being given the captaincy for the Indian side.

ALSO READ: Suryakumar Yadav on verge of breaking Rohit Sharma’s All-time IND vs SL T20I record

Surya stood fearless in front of the Lankan side, just going by his standards as he smashed shots to all corners of the park for his 26-ball, 58-run score. In his innings, he smashed 8 fours and 2 sixes. The MI batter never seemed to be nervous or underconfident for a second as he took forward a marvelous stride.

Gambhir thrilled by SKYs 50
Gambhir thrilled with SKY’s exciting 50 (Image: India Today)


Just like the first T20I, if Surya continues to dominate with the bat and have his balance over the role of captaincy and one of the world’s best batters in the shortest format of the game, then no doubt it will be seen that Surya will lead the Men in Blue to their title defense in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026.

Explained: Here’s why IND W vs SL W Womens Asia Cup 2024 Final has been rescheduled

Karan Rawat
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Explained: Here’s why IND W vs SL W Womens Asia Cup 2024 Final has been rescheduled

IND W vs SL W: It is time for the final showdown of the Womens Asia Cup 2024. Two great teams have made it to the final of the tournament. The defending champion India have made it to the final of all finals of the nine editions. So there is nothing new about it. They have been the team to beat in the history of the Womens Asia Cup.

On the other hand, the hosts Sri Lanka edged past Pakistan Womens in the second semifinal and made it to the final. Now we will see an IND W vs SL W final in the Womens Asia Cup 2024. This match will take place on Sunday at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. But just a few hours away from the start of the IND W vs SL W final, the organizers have rescheduled the game.

Womens Asia Cup 2024: Why has the IND W vs SL W final been rescheduled?

List of winners of Womens Asia Cup: 2004 to 2024 IND W vs SL W
Womens Asia Cup

Earlier, the IND W vs SL W was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. local time, which is the same as per Indian timings. But the timings have been changed, and as per the updated schedule, the final will start at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Now fans are surprised to see the last-moment change. And the reason will shock you totally. Notably, India’s men’s team are on tour of Sri Lanka and will play the first T20I game on Saturday, while the second T20I is scheduled for Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

Hence, there was a clash of timings between the two teams. As a result, the broadcasters reckon that the second T20I between India and Sri Lanka will generate more views and revenue than the IND W vs SL W final. That’s the reason that the schedule has been changed. We will see the Womens Asia Cup 2024 final in the afternoon and the second T20I in the evening.

India women are all set to look to get their hands on the 8th title. The Women in Blue are the defending champions and have won seven out of nine editions. They have a golden chance to win the 8th title. Interestingly, they have beaten Sri Lanka women in five finals.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav on verge of breaking Rohit Sharma’s All-time IND vs SL T20I record

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