Virat Kohli (Left) and Mohammed Siraj during India’s third ODI vs Sri Lanka.© X (formerly Twitter)

India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI© AFP

Skipper Rohit Sharma played on a different ‘track’ from his other colleagues, who were thoroughly exposed against quality spin bowling as Sri Lanka managed to eke out a tie against India in a low-scoring but thrilling opening ODI in Colombo on Friday. In a chase of 231, skipper Rohit smashed 58 off 47 balls on a rank turner with variable bounce, taking his team to 71 in 10 overs but all the other batters never looked comfortable against an army of Lankan spinners as skipper Charith Asalanka got wickets off back-to-back deliveries to play his part in the 44th tie in the history of ODI cricket.

When Shivam Dube (25) hit those two sixes and a boundary through the extra cover to tie the scores, it seemed like Sri Lanka’s woes would continue, but Asalanka took it upon himself to at least earn a psychological win for the home team.

Rohit didn’t look one bit rusty during his destructive half-century but the Indian middle-order stuttered badly, showing their ineptitude against slow bowlers.

After the Indian bowling unit collectively put up a good show on a turner, restricting Sri Lanka to 230 for 8, Rohit’s 58 gave India a destructive start. Things went into a downward spiral after that as Sri Lanka’s battery of spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58 in 10 overs), Akila Dananjaya (/140 in 10 overs), Dunith Wellalage (2/39 in 8 overs) and skipper Charith Asalanka (3/30 in 8.5 overs), not only choked the run flow but also got breakthroughs when necessary.

On a pitch where Rohit made batting look ridiculously easy, KL Rahul (31 off 43 balls) seemed to once again play his natural waiting game that has always proved to be detrimental for his team’s cause. And, by the time he threw away his wicket, he couldn’t ensure a decisive turnaround.

Virat Kohli (23), Shreyas Iyer (24) and Axar Patel (33) all got starts but couldn’t capitalise.

However, it was Rohit, who looked like playing on a different track compared to all other batters across both teams. He started with an 88-metre six over cow corner off the very third ball of India’s innings bowled by Asitha Fernando and then welcomed debutant pacer Mohamed Shiraz with a couple of boundaries and a slap over deep mid-wicket for a six.

While Shubman Gill (16) struggled at the other end, Rohit treated the Lankan bowlers with disdain.

Once he was adjudged leg-before trying a slog sweep off Dananjaya, suddenly the pitch, which looked easy to bat on, started showing its vagaries.

The ball started turning a wee bit more and the variable bounce also created confusion. Kohli got a skidder and was plumb in front while Washington Sundar (5) got one that Dananjaya fired in with an angle. Iyer didn’t look bad in his short innings before an in-cutter from Fernando breached his defence.

Earlier, intelligent fifties from Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage carried the hosts to a fighting score.

Nissanka (56, 75b, 9×4) was a picture of concentration and Wellalage (67 not out, 65b, 7×4, 2×6) of confidence on a pitch that offered some turn after Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka opted to bat first.

Sri Lanka had a shaky start to their innings when Mohammed Siraj ousted Avishka Fernando but Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (14) added 39 runs for a steady second wicket as the hosts staged a mini-recovery.

Just as it happened in the preceding T20I series, the Islanders showed the propensity to throw their wickets away from that point.

This is not to undermine the excellent effort put in by the Indian bowlers, who elicited several false shots from the Lankan batters.

Mendis fell leg-before to Shivam Dube, who made his return to one-day cricket after a hiatus of five years with that scalp.

From a relatively comfortable 46 for two, the Lankan innings soon crash-landed to 101 for five in the 27th over.

Wellalage was quite impressive after his initial struggles against Kuldeep. The crunchy back-foot punch through the covers for four off Washington and a few other ramps and scoops were a testimony to the youngster’s potential.

The left-hander, who added another 46 with Akila Dhananjaya for the eighth wicket, brought up his maiden ODI fifty in 59 balls, also assisting his side to go past the 200-run mark that once appeared far away.

As the Indian cricket team gears up for the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, veteran cricketers like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to the fore, joining their teammates for the 50-over assignment after the team’s 3-0 sweep in T20Is. In a practice session, Virat was spotted being involved in a lengthy conversation with new head coach Gautam Gambhir, sending social media into a meltdown. Indian Premier League franchises like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, etc. shared reactions on the two stalwarts’ meet which can’t be missed.

Both Gambhir and Kohli are Delhiiites who have given fans some memorable moments on the field, both with their performances and otherwise.

Started from the bottom, now we here

Gautam Gambhir | Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/NG0k8uzB7e

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) July 31, 2024

Can’t unsee it… pic.twitter.com/bXtUZZdrQ7

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) July 31, 2024

Our seasoned right-arm quick convincing the gaffer to give him the new ball. #PlayBold #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/4zETCQBJ5D

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 31, 2024

Kohli was spotted having a laugh with head coach Gautam Gambhir during the training session.

‘Chinaman’ spinner Kuldeep Yadav wore pads and gloves for batting practice. Notably, Gambhir and Kohli have had spats in the past during the IPL but seemingly mended fences during IPL 2024.

Gambhir recently replaced Rahul Dravid as the coach of the Indian team. KL Rahul donned the gloves and brushed up on his wicketkeeping skills. Shreyas Iyer was also present during the training session. Before the ODI series, the Pallekele International Stadium hosted the T20I leg of the series, while the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is getting to host the 50-over matches.

The three ODIs will be held on August 2, August 4, and August 7. India wrapped up the three T20Is by securing wins in all three of them. Under the new era of Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, India’s tour of Sri Lanka started on July 27 with the T20I series, with India securing a 43-run win. In the second T20I, India secured a seven-wicket victory in a rain-affected match.

With ANI Inputs

Displaying consistency and skill, Suryakumar Yadav, the India T20 Internationals captain, has joined the elite list of cricketers with the most Player of the Series awards in T20Is. This achievement places him just behind Virat Kohli, who leads the pack with six awards, showcasing Yadav’s remarkable rise in the shortest format of the game. With his fifth such accolade, Yadav now stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Australia’s cricketing giant David Warner. Yadav’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of spectacular. His aggressive batting style, coupled with his ability to play under pressure, has made him a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.

As of now, he has played 71 T20Is, scoring 2432 runs at an average of 42.67. His recent performances have not only solidified his position in the squad but have also earned him recognition as one of the most formidable T20I players globally. Each of his Player of the Series awards has come through match-winning performances, reflecting his consistency and importance to the team.

Joining the ranks of Shakib Al Hasan and David Warner, both of whom have been pillars for their respective teams, highlights Yadav’s significant impact in international cricket. Shakib’s all-round capabilities and Warner’s explosive batting have set high standards, and Yadav’s inclusion in this list shows his calibre and potential to shape the future of T20 cricket.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir began with a 3-0 T20I series win over Sri Lanka.

In the last T20I match of the series on Tuesday against Lanka, India decided to change the winning combination and made four changes to the playing XI. Despite tottering with the bat, India relied on their high-risk, high-reward approach, and eventually, it paid off.

While chasing 138, Lank’s Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stitched up an opening 58-run stand to set the tone of the game.

Ravi Bishnoi got the breakthrough in the ninth over, raising hopes for an unprecedented comeback. Bishnoi returned to remove Mendis (43) by trapping him in front of the stumps.

Washington Sundar removed Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka on back-to-back deliveries to turn the tides in India’s favour.

With nine runs needed off 12 balls, Suryakumar Yadav gambled on Rinku Singh, and he delivered when the situation demanded it most.

In a single over, Rinku sent set-batter Kusal Perera (46) and then Ramesh Mendis (3) back to the dugout to bring the equation down to six runs in six balls.

Suryakumar took the ball in his hand and claimed two wickets in a row, bringing the equation down to three runs on the final ball. Chamindu Wickramasinghe picked up a double on the final ball to take the game to Super Over.

Washington Sundar weaved magic, gave away two runs, and removed Kusal Mendis and Nissanka to restrict Sri Lanka to two runs.

Surykuamar pulled off a sweep to find the fence to complete the whitewash over Sri Lanka in the T20Is.

Indian cricket team fans had their hearts racing as they saw T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav bowling the 20th over of the match against Sri Lanka, who needed just 6 runs to win the match. Suryakumar, who had not bowled a single over in the match until that moment, bowled the final over of the 3rd T20I and gave away just 5 runs, forcing the match into Super Over. As Surya’s final-over heroics, with the ball, went viral, fans also hailed head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying a new era has started.

With Ramesh Mendis and Kamindu Mendis in the middle, Sri Lanka only needed 6 runs to chase down the target of 138 runs against India on Tuesday. Suryakumar, however, pulled a rabbit out of his hat. Here’s how the over went:

Ball 1: Dot

Ball 2: Kamindu Mendis Out

Ball 3: Maheesh Theekshana Out

Ball 4: 1 Run

Ball 5: 2 Runs

Ball 6: 2 Runs

Game-changing batting

Game-changing bowling @surya_14kumar bhau mann la #SonySportsNetwork #SLvIND #TeamIndia #SuryakumarYadav pic.twitter.com/5G3PESMVY9

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 30, 2024

Many fans on social media also credited Gautam Gambhir, with the former Kolkata Knight Riders mentor being credited with successful bowling experiments made in the team, including the decision to bowl Rinku Singh in the 19th over.

11 batters, 11 bowlers, 1 team: GG ERA pic.twitter.com/IuPLZFczwK

— Ujjawal kumar (@sonuujjawal26) July 30, 2024

The scores were tied, forcing the match into extra-time where Sri Lanka only managed to score 2 runs. India chased down the Super Over target in just one ball, with Suryakumar hitting a boundary on the first ball.

After the game, Suryakumar said that more than his last over, the way Indian batters showed determination after losing 5 wickets for just 48 runs, turned out to be the turning point in the game.

“More than the last over, I feel when we were around 30/4 and 48/5, how the boys showed character in the middle and took the game away from them … I felt 140 was a par score on that track. When we were going in during fielding session I told them, ‘I have seen such kind of games. If we put our heart in for one and a half hours, we can pull it off.’ 

“If you are enjoying hitting 200-220s and winning games, you should enjoy 30/4 and 70/5 as well because that creates balance in your life and that’s how you move on and just be humble. The amount of skill they have, the self-confidence that they bring to the table, it makes my job very easy. The positivity they have on the ground and in the dressing room, the care for each other what they show is unbelievable,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

With India completing a 3-0 series sweep in T20Is, the focus now shifts to the ODI series.

Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav celebrate.© AFP

India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I LIVE Streaming: When and where to watch© AFP

After being snubbed from T20I captaincy, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri laid down the future path for the star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, advising him to play as much as possible and find inspiration to keep his fitness at top-level in his recent ICC T20 World Cup heroics, where Men in Blue ended their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought. Having acted as deputy to Rohit Sharma in India’s triumphant ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, Pandya was one of the front-runners to take over the mantle once Rohit retired from the format.

However, when the squad for the current Sri Lanka tour was announced, Hardik was listed only as a player, with Suryakumar Yadav being named as India’s T20I captain and Shubman Gill as the vice-captain.

Ultimately, it was Hardik’s ongoing fitness issues that cost him the captaincy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said in the pre-tour press conference that they preferred a player whose availability was consistently reliable, thus tilting the scales away from Hardik.

In the latest edition of The ICC Review, Shastri offered valuable advice to Hardik on how he can return to his peak performance.

“I think (it is) very important that he continues to play,” Shastri said while speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan, as quoted by the ICC.

“I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well.”

“But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit.”

“If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he’ll play in one-day cricket as well,” he concluded his point.

Hardik has had a long-standing battle with major injuries that date back to 2018.

During India’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan that year at the Asia Cup in Dubai, Pandya collapsed after bowling, clutching his back in agony and had to be stretchered off the field. A diagnosis revealed a stress fracture that necessitated surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

Pandya chose to recover without surgery and managed to get fit in time for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. However, his back issues resurfaced later that year, ultimately requiring him to undergo surgery.

More recently, Hardik sustained an ankle injury while attempting to field the ball on follow-through during India’s Cricket World Cup 2023 encounter against Bangladesh.

This injury sidelined him for an extended period, and he only returned to international action during the T20 World Cup.

Upon his return, Hardik reminded everyone of his exceptional talent as an all-rounder, scoring crucial runs and taking important wickets throughout the tournament. In the T20 World Cup, Pandya scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, with a half-century and best score of 50*. He also took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with the best figures of 3/20.

In the final, Hardik delivered under pressure, taking the crucial wickets of the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen and then David Miller in the last over, helping to end India’s 11-year trophy drought.

The 30-year-old then collected two wickets and scored a valuable 22* during India’s series-clinching victory over Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Sunday to further showcase his credentials.

Shastri said that his recent performances would be enough motivation for Hardik to get back to full fitness.

“So I think it is up to him really, more than anything else,” Shastri added.

“He understands his body better than anyone. And I am sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He should not need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top,” he concluded.