August 1, 2024

Pathirana and Madushanka Out of ODIs Against India

Sri Lanka is taking precautions with Matheesha Pathirana, who injured his shoulder during the third T20I and will not be risked for the upcoming ODIs against India. Alongside Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. The team is also without Dushmantha Chameera, who is ill, and Nuwan Thushara, who has a fractured thumb. Both Chameera and Thushara were already absent from the T20Is.

To address these absences, Sri Lanka has added two uncapped right-arm seamers to the squad: Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. This move was confirmed by team manager Mahinda Halangoda.

In addition to the new players, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, and Jeffrey Vandersay have been named as standbys.

“Matheesha has jarred his shoulder, and because it is the same issue that he had during the World Cup last year, they have chosen not to risk it,” Halangoda said. Matheesha Pathirana injured his shoulder while fielding in the third T20I in Pallekele and had to leave the field without bowling. Dilshan Madushanka picked up a hamstring injury during training and had played just one match in the T20I series. Both players were expected to be in the starting lineup for the first ODI against India on Friday. Sri Lanka has lost their last 10 matches against India across all formats.

Sri Lanka to Tour Ireland for Women’s T20Is and ODIs in August

Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team is set to make history with their first bilateral tour of Ireland, beginning on August 11. The tour will feature two T20Is and three ODIs, with the Sri Lankan squad departing for Ireland on August 6. This tour marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan women’s cricket as they take on Ireland in a full bilateral series for the first time.

This tour follows Sri Lanka’s recent triumph in the Asia Cup, highlighting their strong form. Ireland, meanwhile, will be playing their third bilateral series of the year, having previously faced Zimbabwe and Thailand. The Irish team has been unbeaten in their bilateral matches this year, but they will face a stern test against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s impressive performance in 2024 includes 18 wins out of 23 white-ball matches, showcasing their strength. The team has also maintained a flawless record against Ireland, having won all three ODIs and three T20Is they have played against them. This track record adds to the anticipation of a competitive series.

This tour will mark the first encounter between Sri Lanka and Ireland’s women’s teams since their last meeting in the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifier. In that series, Sri Lanka secured a decisive victory over Ireland. The teams were also scheduled to face each other in the 2021 ODI World Cup Qualifier, but this game was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions.

The upcoming tour is set to kick off with the first T20I on August 11 in Dublin. The second T20I will follow on August 13, also in Dublin. After the T20Is, the teams will travel to Belfast for the ODI series. This series, consisting of three matches, will begin on August 16 and forms part of the 2022-2025 ICC Women’s Championship cycle.

The ODI series is an important fixture for both teams, as it contributes to their standings in the ICC Women’s Championship. With Sri Lanka’s recent strong performance and Ireland’s unbeaten run in their previous bilateral series this year, the tour promises to be a competitive and exciting contest.

Dhoni on his IPL Future: “Needs to be in The Best Interest of The Team”

MS Dhoni is waiting to decide on his IPL future for the 2025 season. He plans to make his decision after the IPL finalizes its rules and regulations for player retention, which are currently under review. Dhoni wants to understand how these potential rule changes might impact team strategies and player choices before committing to another season.

“There is a lot of time for it,” Dhoni, who turned 43 in July, said at an event in Hyderabad. “We have to see what decision they take on player retention etc. Right now, the ball is not in our court.

“So, once the rules and regulations get formalised, I will take a call, but needs to be in the best interest of the team.”

The BCCI held a meeting with franchise owners and officials in Mumbai to discuss various IPL rules, including the Impact Player rule, player retention limits, and the frequency of mega auctions. One of the key topics was how these changes might affect team strategies and player decisions for the upcoming season.

Questions about MS Dhoni’s future with the IPL have been frequent in recent years, particularly concerning his role with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Earlier this year, Dhoni addressed part of these questions by handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad just before the season began. Under Gaikwad’s leadership, CSK narrowly missed out on the playoffs, finishing fifth on the table with 14 points, the same as RCB but falling short on net run rate.

Last season, Dhoni played a crucial role as a finisher in the death overs, hitting 13 sixes and 14 fours in just 73 balls. He maintained an impressive strike rate of 220.54, marking his first season with a strike rate over 200. Dhoni remained unbeaten in eight of his 11 innings, showcasing his significant impact during the crucial end-of-innings stages.