Sri Lanka clinched a 63-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Galle thanks to Prabath Jayasuriya's five-wicket haul. Set a target of 275 runs, the Black Caps struggled against the spinning conditions, with Rachin Ravindra's 92 being the only highlight for the visitors. Jayasuriya, who was named man-of-the-match, credited his success to sticking to the basics and bowling with consistency on the helpful pitch in Galle.
According to reports, former Sri Lankan captain and current Rajasthan Royals director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, may part ways with the franchise and join Kolkata Knight Riders as their mentor. This comes after the departure of Gautam Gambhir, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Abhishek Nayar from the KKR coaching staff. RR have seen good results under Sangakkara's guidance and KKR may be looking to bring in his expertise for their upcoming season. Stay tuned for updates on this potential move.
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has written a column for The Telegraph addressing the issue of bad light in test matches. He argues that with advancements in technology and investment in floodlights, the ICC should take action to ensure that spectators are able to watch a full day's play without interruptions due to bad light. Vaughan's column comes as another day of cricket is disrupted due to gloomy conditions, leaving spectators frustrated and potentially missing out on refunds for their tickets.
England batsman Joe Root is chasing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs. With 12,377 runs in his bag, Root is only 3,544 runs behind the Indian legend. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes Root has at least three years of cricket left in him and his current form and passion for the game makes him a strong contender to surpass Tendulkar's record. However, Vaughan predicts that the BCCI will do everything possible to ensure that an Indian player eventually overtakes Tendulkar's record, if Root fails to do so.
"The England national cricket team is set to face off against the Sri Lanka national cricket team on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. After a dominant performance in the previous match, England will aim to continue their winning streak while Sri Lanka hopes for a comeback with changes in their lineup. The return of Olly Stone and the inclusion of Pathum Nissanka in Sri Lanka's batting order add an interesting dynamic to the game."
In a nail-biting first Test match between England and Sri Lanka, Joe Root once again proved his worth as he led England to a stunning five-wicket victory with an unbeaten fifty. Sri Lanka had set a target of 205 runs on Day 4, with Kamindu Mendis' brilliant century helping them post a total of 326 in their second innings. However, Joe Root's partnerships with Harry Brook and Jamie Smith ensured that England secured their fourth position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 table, while Sri Lanka slipped to fifth.
The England men's selection panel has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka. Captain Ben Stokes, as well as Zak Crawley and seam bowler Dillion Pennington, have been ruled out due to injuries. Vice-captain Ollie Pope will lead the team in Stokes' absence, while Surrey's Jordan Cox earns his first call-up to the squad. Nottinghamshire seamer Olly Stone also returns to the Test squad after a three-year absence.
The leader of the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, has sparked controversy with his recent statement criticizing the lack of diversity in the Miss India competition. Gandhi pointed to the absence of Dalit, tribal, and OBC women on the Miss India list and used it as an argument for conducting a caste census in India. This statement has triggered a discussion on caste representation in various fields and the need for a comprehensive census in the country.
After a record-breaking performance by England's Jamie Smith, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis managed to keep their team afloat in the first Test at Old Trafford. However, there is a cause for concern for England as fast bowler Mark Wood leaves the field due to an injury, leaving the hosts with just four wickets to secure victory over Sri Lanka in the remaining two days. Mathews' 65 and Mendis' unbeaten 56 helped Sri Lanka fight back, but England's Joe Root and Chris Woakes managed to make vital breakthroughs to keep their team in the game.
Joe Root's unbeaten 62 helped England secure a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford. After a slow start to the chase, Root and Harry Brook formed a grinding partnership of 49 to steady the innings. Despite losing both Brook and Jamie Smith in quick succession, Root remained composed and guided England to victory with a crucial knock. Sri Lanka showed resilience in the match, but ultimately were unable to defend a target of 205.