The spotlight is on India’s batters, especially the iconic Virat Kohli, to rise to the challenge and follow captain Rohit Sharma’s lead in tackling Sri Lanka’s spin threat in the decisive third ODI in Colombo on Wednesday. India aims to avoid their first series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years. Gautam Gambhir, in his first ODI assignment as head coach, certainly did not envision this rocky start. India last suffered a bilateral ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 1997, when Arjuna Ranatunga’s team swept Sachin Tendulkar’s squad 3-0. Historical Context and Recent Struggles Since that defeat, India has dominated in 11 bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, after a 32-run loss in the second ODI and a tie in the first, India finds itself unable to win this three-match series. The primary issue has been the batsmen’s struggles against spin on a turning RPSC pitch. Kohli, with only 38 runs in two matches, exemplifies these struggles. His subdued performance, especially after Rohit’s strong starts, has been concerning. Kohli’s inability to handle Wanindu Hasaranga’s leg-spin in the first match and Jeffrey Vandersay’s six-wicket haul in the second highlights his current form’s fragility. Key Players’ Performances A confident Kohli …

Graham Thorpe, who passed away at 55, will be remembered as one of the finest batters of his generation. His career, both as a player and a coach, spanned nearly 30 years, making him a cornerstone of the England cricket team and a legend at Surrey. Early Beginnings and England Debut Thorpe’s cricketing journey began on the club grounds of Surrey, the county he represented throughout his entire first-class career from 1988 to 2005. His debut for England came against Australia in 1993, where he scored an unbeaten 114 in the second innings, signaling the start of an illustrious career. Stellar Test and ODI Performances In his 100 Test matches, Thorpe amassed 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66, including 16 centuries. His highest Test score was a formidable 200 not out against New Zealand in 2002. In ODIs, he scored 2,380 runs in 82 matches. His ability to adapt to various conditions made him a reliable player in all situations, averaging 45.17 at home, 47.85 in Asia, and 48.18 in Australia. Resilient and Reliable Thorpe was known for his resilience and reliability, often stepping up in crucial moments. Former captain Nasser Hussain praised him as “a man for a …

Melbourne Renegades have bolstered their squad by signing New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert on a two-year deal ahead of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) seasons. Seifert, 29, will be available for the entire duration of both seasons, aiming to help the Renegades improve on last season’s seventh-place finish. Seifert’s Impressive T20 Credentials Seifert has an extensive T20 resume, having played three ODIs and 61 T20Is for New Zealand. He averages 27.43 with a strike rate of 130.12, including three centuries. Recently, he was the leading run-scorer in the Lanka Premier League, scoring 400 runs at an average of 57.14 and a strike rate of 135.13. Key Addition to the Renegades’ Line-Up Seifert’s signing is significant as he will miss part of New Zealand’s domestic Super Smash tournament and the white-ball series against Pakistan. His addition to the Renegades comes after he turned down a domestic contract with Northern Districts to pursue freelance T20 opportunities. He is expected to form a formidable top three with Josh Brown and Jake Fraser-McGurk. Seifert is also a frontrunner to take on the wicketkeeping duties, following last season’s shared role between Quinton de Kock and Jordan Cox. Seifert’s Enthusiasm for the Renegades Seifert expressed …

Nick Hockley has announced his decision to step down as Cricket Australia’s chief executive in March 2025 after a five-year tenure marked by significant challenges and achievements. Hockley, who has served in various roles within Australian cricket for 13 years, initially took on the CEO role in an interim capacity during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. He was appointed full-time in May 2021. Navigating the Pandemic and Ensuring Financial Stability Hockley played a crucial role in steering Cricket Australia through the pandemic, managing to host the 2020-21 Test series against India despite border closures. His leadership ensured the financial stability of the sport during an unprecedented crisis. A Time for New Challenges Reflecting on his tenure, Hockley said, “This was a difficult decision, but following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge. I remain completely focused on the season ahead and supporting the Board on succession and a smooth transition.” Major Events and Strategic Plans Hockley’s final season will include hosting India for a five-Test series and the Women’s Ashes in January. His leadership also saw a smoother Memorandum of Understanding …