India-Sri Lanka T20 Opener Today in Pune
Boosted by their 3-0 clean sweep of Australia Down Under, a confident India would seek to continue their winning momentum when they take on a depleted and new-look Sri Lanka in the first of three T20 Internationals today.
Even in the absence of a top shot like Kohli, who has been rested by the selectors before the more important Asia Cup and the World T20 events, the home team’s batting strength looks pretty formidable for the new-look attack of Sri Lanka, the defending World T20 Champions.
For the complete preview, click here.
SL’s Binura out of India Series with Hamstring Injury
The already depleted Sri Lanka team suffered another blow with left arm fast bowler Binura Fernando being ruled out of the T20 series against India after sustaining a hamstring injury.
“Left-arm fast bowler Binura Fernando injured his hamstring when bowling in the nets yesterday. He has been ruled out of the entire series. He will be replaced by Shaminda Eranga”, Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal said at the pre-match press conference.
The squad is already without regular T20 and Test captains Lasith Malinga and Mathews, both recovering from injuries, plus a few other experienced players. All-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan is also nursing a finger injury and will miss tomorrow’s game but is expected to be available for the second match at Ranchi on February 12.
Need Our A Game Against Lanka: Dravid
India Under-19 cricket coach Rahul Dravid said his team will have to produce a good all-round performance to outwit Sri Lanka in the ICC World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, given that both sides are well aware of what to expect from each other.
We know what to expect from them. They have a couple of seamers and a lot of good spinners. They bowl a lot of spin. Having said that, they also know what to expect from us.Rahul Dravid, India U-19 Coach
The power-packed Indians breezed through Group D with an all-win record against New Zealand, Nepal and Ireland, before crushing Namibia by 197 runs in the quarter-final. Sri Lanka bounced back after a 23-run defeat to Pakistan in the last Group B match to stun a strong England side by six wickets in the quarter-final.
No Stopping India’s Golden Run in South Asian Games
The 12th South Asian Games saw another Indian domination with its archers, wrestlers and weightlifters clinching a majority of gold.
While compound archers scooped all five gold medals on offer, wrestlers also annihilated competition to grab five yellow metals out of six.
Courtesy the strong showing by them, India continued to top the medals’ tally with a count of 79, which includes 53 gold, 20 silver and 6 bronze medals.
For India’s hockey result against Pakistan, click here.
For the outcomes of the squash contingent, click here.
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