Dasun Shanaka Guides Sri Lanka To Dramatic Win Over Bangladesh In 1st T20I

Dasun Shanaka held his nerve under pressure to take two wickets in the final over, snatching a dramatic three-run win for Sri Lanka in the opening Twenty20 international of a three-match series against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Monday. Set a target of 207 runs, lower middle-order batsman Jaker Ali took Bangladesh close with his maiden fifty before Shanaka ended his 34-ball innings of 68 with the third ball of the last over. Shoriful Islam hit a four from the next ball, leaving Bangladesh requiring six from their last two balls.

But the hosts could manage only two runs to be restricted to 203-8, with Shanaka, who also dismissed Rishad Hossain in the first ball of the final over, finishing with 2-36.

Former skipper Angelo Mathews claimed 2-17 to inflict some early damage on the Bangladesh innings before veteran Mahmudullah Riyad struck 54 off 31 balls to revive the hopes of the home side.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis earlier slammed a fifty each to guide Sri Lanka to 206-3 after Bangladesh sent them in.

Samarawickrama struck an unbeaten 61 off 48 balls after Mendis hit 59 off 36 balls as the visitors overcame a slow start to put up an imposing total.

Stand-in skipper Charith Asalanka played his part with an unbeaten 44 from 21 balls.

Mendis and Samarawickrama shared 96 runs for the third wicket after Sri Lanka lost their first two wickets for 37 runs.

Shoriful removed Avishka Fernando for four with the second ball of the innings before Taskin Ahmed had Kamindu Mendis caught by Soumya Sarkar at midwicket for 19.

Mendis hit leg-spinner Rishad for a four and two sixes off consecutive balls to race to his fifty off 27 balls.

Rishad returned for his next spell to exact revenge as Mahmudullah took a well-judged catch at long off boundary to end the innings of Mendis.

Asalanka joined Samarawickrama to continue the assault, adding 73 for the unbroken fourth wicket, including 24 runs from the last over of the innings bowled by Mustafizur Rahman.

The series marks the start of Sri Lanka's month-long tour of Bangladesh, which also includes three one-day internationals and two Tests.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/dasun-shanaka-guides-sri-lanka-to-dramatic-win-over-bangladesh-in-1st-t20i-5176741

"What Else Is He Playing?": Ex-IND Star On Ishan Kishan Ahead Of IPL 2024

For Ishan Kishan, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will be an acid Test. The whole controversy over his reluctance to play domestic cricket that resulted in the termination of his BCCI contract, has made Ishan Kishan a hot topic in Indian cricket. Till recently he was one of the first choice wicketkeeper-batters, but now Ishan Kishan has a tough road ahead of him. The IPL might give him a shot at redemption. He has been training with MI skipper Hardik Pandya in Baroda and recently played at the DY Patil T20 Cup too. 

Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Ishan Kishan should grab this opportunity with both hands. 

"Ishan Kishan must be hungry. He has not got any central contract. This is the only thing he is playing. What else is he playing - either he has himself refused to play or he will not be picked. This is his chance. If you make runs here, then you will have the opportunity to go further," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

"Of course there is a pitch like that of Wankhede. That will help him. The ball will come on to the bat. Ishan Kishan-Rohit Sharma could be that third opening pair which can do good in IPL 2024."

While there was no official reason given on why Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were dropped, one line in BCCI's release gives a strong hint. "The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team," the BCCI stated.

When Ishan Kishan had left India's Tour of South Africa, the BCCI had said on December 17: "Mr Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad."

While it was expected that Ishan Kishan would play domestic cricket from his time away from the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter chose to remain absent from his state team Jharkhand's Ranji Trophy matches. Despite Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid clearly mentioning that he need to play some form of cricket to regain his place in the Indian squad, Ishan Kishan ignored the instruction.

Shreyas Iyer also excused himself from one of the Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai due to injury. However, NCA's report on his injury was contradictory, according to a report in Indian express.

Now, in a report by ESPN Cricinfo, it has been claimed that Ishan Kishan was contacted by the Indian cricket team management during the ongoing India vs England Test series. The reports added that Kishan replied that he was not ready yet. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel got the opportunity and won the Player of the Match award.

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/what-else-is-he-playing-ex-india-star-on-ishan-kishan-ahead-of-ipl-2024-5169886

Nathan Lyon Spins Australia To Victory Over New Zealand In First Test

Nathan Lyon spun Australia to a 172-run win over New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday, taking six wickets as the hosts collapsed to 196 all out. The home side crumbled on the fourth morning in Wellington, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs, with four of them falling to off-spinner Lyon. He finished with innings figures of 6-65 off 27 overs, giving him 10-108 for the match. The 36-year-old capitalised on spin-friendly Basin Reserve conditions and some meek batting from New Zealand, who began the day on 111-3 and needing 258 more runs to secure an unlikely victory.

The capitulation began in the seventh over of the day when Lyon claimed the key wicket of Rachin Ravindra for 59.

Ravindra had only added three to his overnight score when he failed to keep a cut shot down and was caught by Cameron Green at point.

Tom Blundell was caught in close by Travis Head without scoring in the same over and Glenn Phillips was trapped leg before by Lyon for one soon afterwards, to expose the tail.

Scott Kuggeleijn struck 26 off 28 balls before he failed to control a short ball from Green to be caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Matt Henry fell for 14, caught at slip by Steve Smith off Josh Hazlewood.

Tim Southee became Lyon's sixth victim before Daryl Mitchell was the last wicket to fall, for 38, caught and bowled by Hazlewood.

Green was named man of the match for his career-high unbeaten 174 in the first innings.

No one else made three figures in a challenging Test for batsmen as Green rescued Australia from 89-4, having been put into bat, to reach 383 and set up a 204-run first-innings lead.

The second and final Test starts in the Christchurch on Friday.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/nathan-lyon-spins-australia-to-victory-over-new-zealand-in-first-test-5166372

England Legend Delivers Brutal Verdict On Bazball

England will aim to end the five-match series against India on a high as the fifth match is slated to be played from March 7 in Dharamshala. The Rohit Sharma and co gained an unassailable lead 3-1 lead after registering a thumping five-wicket victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi. Chasing 192, India lost some five wickets with 120 runs on the board but the unbeaten partnership between Shubman Gill (52*) and Dhruv Jurel (39*) took the hosts across the line.

Ahead of the fifth Test, former England opener Geoffrey Boycott picked up an "error" made by Ben Stokes during India's chase in the fourth match. 

“I like Stokes's captaincy but I thought he made a big error by opening the bowling with two spinners, Root and Tom Hartley. Stokes was thinking that a harder new ball would bounce more and a raised seam would create more spin," Geoffrey wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

“The problem is that unless you are experienced at bowling spin with a new ball then the lacquer makes it slip out of the fingers so it is difficult to drop it on a length. When I played, spinners could rub the ball in the dirt to rough it up and grip it better but that is banned now so it is hard for them to control. I think Stokes out-thought himself,” he added.

“Bazball has given Test cricket a shot in the arm and England deserves praise for that. At times, I love it. But I love winning more and England has failed to beat the best two teams in the world: Australia and now India,” he further wrote.

Geoffrey further stated that the low contribution from the batters is the reason why England lost the match and the series. 

“Chasing small totals in the last innings of a Test match has historically proved difficult for many teams because the pitch is usually worn and playing tricks," stated the England great. 

"Early wickets are a priceless bonus but it is also imperative the bowlers tie the batsmen down to build pressure on the batting team. The game and series were lost by the batsmen,” he added. 

The fifth and final Test of the five-match series will kick-start from March 7 in Dharamshala. 

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/i-love-it-but-england-legend-delivers-brutal-verdict-on-bazball-5148718

New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Day 4 Live Score Updates

NZ vs AUS 1st Test Day 4 Live Updates: New Zealand need 258 runs more to win the game while Australia need seven wickets. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell will be resuming on their respective scores of 56 and 12 on Sunday. New Zealand have already lost the wickets of Tom Latham, Will Young and Kane Williamson in the chase of 369 runs against Australia at Basin Reserve, Wellington. (Live Scorecard)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/new-zealand-vs-australia-1st-test-day-4-live-score-updates-nz-vs-aus-live-5164876

"Why Would You Punish Hardik?": Ex-India Star Differs With Pathan's View

The BCCI recently announced the central contracts for year 2023-24. Among the trending names that failed to make a cut were Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. With the contracts, the BCCI also reiterated the mandate that players need to participate in domestic matches while not on national duty. Iyer and Kishan were the two players who passes a period when they were neither playing for Indian team nor their respective domestic teams. In the follow-up, the two were not considered for the central contracts.

While many former India players appreciated the board for maintaining a strict policy regarding the players' participation in domestic cricket, others pointed out that the rule is not the same for every player.

"They are talented cricketers, both Shreyas and Ishan. Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger. If players like Hardik don't want to play red-ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren't on national duty? If this doesn't apply to all, then Indian cricket won't achieve the desired results!" wrote former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan on X, formerly Twitter.

Another ex-India player Aakash Chopra though differed in opinion with Pathan and backed Pandya with facts.

"Hardik Pandya's case is very simple. He is not playing red-ball cricket. That ambition or aspiration does not exist anymore. He has not said that as such, but the truth is that he is not available at all for any Test series. So if you are not at all auditioning for Tests, no one will ask you to play first-class cricket. Why would you play four-day games when you don't have that much strength in your body to bowl so many overs and have injury problems? So why should he play (first-class cricket)," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

"If he stops for India despite being fit. If he is on break and doesn't want to play Syed Mushtaq Ali or Vijay Hazare Trophy for promotion or a video shoot or other such works. Then you can say he is wrong. But currently he is not. And why would you punish him if he has not made a mistake?" he added.

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ex-india-stars-why-would-you-punish-hardik-pandya-remark-after-irfan-pathan-asks-bcci-to-treat-players-equally-5158088

New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Day 3 Live Score Updates

New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Day 3 Live Score Updates: Usman Khawaja and overnight batter Nathan Lyon will resume the Australian innings on Saturday as the side will aim to regain control of the first Test match against New Zealand. Australia seized control of the opening Test Friday after a miserable day for New Zealand left the hosts 217 runs adrift in Wellington and with a mountain to climb to stay in the match. The visitors finished on 13 for 2 in their second innings with Lyon not out six and opener Khawaja on five after Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne departed cheaply. Tim Southee bowled Smith with his third ball, then had the out-of-form Labuschagne caught behind by Tom Blundell. (Live Scorecard)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/new-zealand-vs-australia-1st-test-day-3-live-score-updates-5159171

LSG Appoint Lance Klusener As Assistant Coach Ahead Of IPL 2024

South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener has joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as the assistant coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. LSG announced his appointment on Friday with a statement that read, "Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have added South African legend Lance Klusener to their formidable roster of coaches for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season."

Klusener will join head coach Justin Langer and assistant coach S Sriram in Lucknow's experienced backroom staff line-up. Klusener is also the head coach of the SA20 franchise Durban Super Giants, who are Super Giants affiliate. He guided the franchise to SA20 final earlier this year.

This will mark the beginning of Klusener's second stint as a coach in the IPL. He served as an assistant to former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock at Mumbai Indians in the beginning years of IPL.

Klusener has left his mark in the Caribbean Premier League as under his leadership Guyana Amazon Warriors won their maiden CPL title.

The 52-year-old has a fair amount of coaching experience following his previous stints as head coach of Afghanistan as well as batting coach of South Africa and Zimbabwe. He has also worked in the Indian domestic circuit with Tripura.

During his playing days, the former Proteas star was deemed as one of the finest all-rounders to have graced the white-ball cricket. He was also adjudged as the Player of the Tournament in the 1999 World Cup.

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/lsg-appoint-former-south-africa-star-lance-klusener-as-assistant-coach-ahead-of-ipl-2024-5158932

बीसीसीआई विवाद: क्या होगा परिणाम ?

बीसीसीआई विवाद क्या है ? बोर्ड ऑफ क्रिकेट कंट्रोल बोर्ड (BCCI) ने ईशान और अय्यर का सेंट्रल कॉन्ट्रैक्ट खत्म कर दिया. कारण दोनों का घरेलू क्रिकेट से गायब होना रहा. भारत के अनुभवी विकेटकीपर ऋद्धिमान साहा लंबे अर्से से नेशनल टीम से बाहर हैं. साहा ने कहा अगर कोई ख‍िलाड़ी घरेलू क्रिकेट में नहीं खेलना चाहता तो कुछ भी ‘जबरदस्ती’ नहीं किया जा सकता. साहा ने हालांकि यह बात भी मानी कि ‘यह बीसीसीआई का फैसला है और संबंधित खिलाड़ियों का व्यक्तिगत निर्णय है. आप जबरदस्ती कुछ नहीं कर सकते.’ बीसीसीआई सेंट्रल कॉन्ट्रैक्ट प्लेयर्स की लिस्ट (अक्टूबर 2023 से सितंबर 2024 तक) क्रिकेट में खिलाड़ी का ग्रेड कैसे चुनें? एक मैच के भीतर प्रत्येक खिलाड़ी के प्रदर्शन के मूल्य की गणना एक एल्गोरिदम का उपयोग करके की जाती है, जो मैच में विभिन्न परिस्थितियों के आधार पर गणनाओं की एक श्रृंखला (सभी पूर्व-क्रमादेशित) होती है। इस गणना प्रक्रिया में कोई मानवीय हस्तक्षेप नहीं है, और कोई व्यक्तिपरक मूल्यांकन नहीं किया जाता है। बल्लेबाज रैंकिंग की गणना कैसे की जाती है? बल्लेबाजी के लिए, प्रदर्शन रेटिंग बनाए गए रनों के संयोजन, विपक्षी गेंदबाजों की रेटिंग, मैच परिणाम और मैच में कुल स्कोर की तुलना पर आधारित है। एक गेंदबाज को लिए गए विकेटों, दिए गए रनों और मैच के परिणाम के आधार पर अंक मिलते हैं, साथ ही उच्च श्रेणी के बल्लेबाजों को आउट करने पर अधिक अंक मिलते हैं। ग्रेड ए+ रोहित शर्मा, विराट कोहली, जसप्रीत बुमराह और रवींद्र जडेजा. ग्रेड ए आर अश्विन, मो. शमी, मो. सिराज, केएल राहुल, शुभमन गिल और हार्दिक पंड्या. ग्रेड बी सूर्यकुमार यादव, ऋषभ पंत, कुलदीप यादव, अक्षर पटेल और यशस्वी जायसवाल. ग्रेड सी रिंकू सिंह, तिलक वर्मा, ऋतुराज गायकवाड़, शार्दुल ठाकुर, शिवम दुबे, रवि बिश्नोई, जितेश शर्मा, वॉशिंगटन सुंदर, मुकेश कुमार, संजू सैमसन, अर्शदीप सिंह, केएस भरत, प्रसिद्ध कृष्णा, आवेश खान और रजत पाटीदार. चारों कैटेगरी में इस तरह मिलते हैं रुपये बता दें कि BCCI कॉन्ट्रैक्ट लिस्ट में 4 कैटेगरी होती हैं. ए प्लस (A+) कैटेगरी में 7 करोड़, A में 5, B में B में 3 और सबसे नीचे C कैटेगरी में 1 करोड़ रुपये सालाना मिलते हैं. इन सभी कैटेगरी में प्लेयर्स को शामिल करने के कुछ नियम भी हैं. A+ में ऐसे खिलाड़ियों को रखा जाता है जो तीनों फॉर्मेट (टेस्ट, वनडे और टी20) में खेलते हैं. चयन समिति ने तेज गेंदबाजों आकाश दीप, विजयकुमार विशाक, उमरान मलिक, यश दयाल और विद्वत कावेरप्पा के लिए भी अनुबंध की सिफारिश की है.

'Forcefully You Can't Do Anything': India Star On Kishan-Iyer Contract Row

Veteran India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha on Thursday said nothing can be done 'forcefully' if a cricketer does not want to play domestic cricket, while adding that it is the base and every player should value it enough to prosper. Saha's reaction came after Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were on Wednesday excluded from the annual player retainership list for the 2023-24 season, with the BCCI saying in a statement that the two cricketers 'were not considered for the annual contracts in this round of recommendations'. "That is BCCI's decision and personal decision of concerned players. Forcefully, you can't do anything," the stumper said about Kishan and Iyer's axe.

These two players were part of the Indian side until very recently, having also featured in the 50-overs World Cup last year. While Kishan was last part of the Test squad during India's Tour of South Africa in December, Iyer played the first two Tests of the ongoing series against England.

Saha said a cricketer should treat every match with equal importance citing his own example.

"Whenever I am fit I play, even I played club matches, office matches as well. I always treat a match as a match. All matches are equal for me. If every player thinks on those lines, they will only prosper in their career and it will be better for Indian cricket as well," he said.

"I feel the importance of domestic cricket is always there because if I talk about Sarfaraz Khan, he had scored plenty of runs in the last 4-5 years. Definitely, he has delivered." Saha, meanwhile, termed the young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel's batting as 'outstanding'. Jurel scored a gritty 46 on Test debut in the third Test and followed it up with scores of 90 and 39 in the fourth Test at Ranchi, earning himself the player of the match award.

"I have never seen him (Jurel) in domestic cricket, even in Test matches I have seen in him highlights. But his batting is outstanding, he won the last Test for the team," he said.

Saha also feels the future of Indian cricket is bright because of its bench strength while once again underlining the importance of domestic circuit. "It is always good to see that your reserve bench is ready, whenever somebody is getting chance," he said.

"Over that, some players are getting opportunity but don't want to play, which they shouldn't. Whenever you get a chance to play, you should play whether it is red ball or white ball," said Saha, who played 40 Tests and scoreed 1,353 runs while affecting 104 dismissals (92 catches and 12 stumpings). PTI SSC SSC DDV