Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

It was the same month, August, in 2017, when Akila Dananjaya was all over the Indian batting line-up, bagging a six-wicket haul. It seemed like Sri Lanka would win easily, but India managed to clinch it thanks to a match-winning partnership between MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Fast forward to 2024, Dananjaya saw his compatriot Jeffrey Vandersay do the same, rattling the Indians with a six-fer, but this time the effort came in a winning cause. Batting second, India were cruising along, with skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 97 runs for the first wicket. What transpired next was…

In a thrilling game filled with twists and turns, Sri Lanka managed to secure a tie against India. With just one run needed and Shivam Dube on strike, this seemed unlikely. However, Charith Asalanka and his team didn’t give up. Asalanka successfully reviewed to trap Dube in front of the wickets, and then Arshdeep Singh was dismissed in similar fashion, sealing the dramatic outcome in the first ODI. India, who had been in control for most of the match, will be disappointed as none of their batters managed to finish the job. This is the second time an ODI between…

Sri Lanka needed nine runs off the last 12 balls. With one set batter in, they were favourites to win the game and should have. But then, the two part-timers, Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav, scripted a remarkable turnaround, conceding just eight runs while taking four wickets between them to tie the game. The home team came out to bat in the Super Over and could only score TWO runs (yes, you read it right), thanks to some brilliant bowling from Washington Sundar. The visitors completed the game with five balls to spare. India had overs remaining for their frontline…

India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the rain-curtailed second T20I in Pallekele. The visitors thus took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi were the architects of the win, with handy contributions from others. The third match will be played on Tuesday. Sent in to bat, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis early to Arshdeep Singh, for the second time in two matches. Kusal Perera came in at No 3 and formed crucial half-century partnerships with Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis. Despite the initial setback, Sri Lanka’s momentum remained intact as Perera launched a…

The match remained evenly poised until the 14th over, with Sri Lanka needing 74 runs from 36 balls and nine wickets in hand. However, Axar Patel changed the game’s course in the 15th over by taking two crucial wickets. The hosts continued to lose ground thereafter, ultimately falling short by 43 runs in the first T20I, giving India the lead in the three-match series. Batting first, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill strode confidently to the crease and launched a fierce attack from the start. With the new ball offering no swing, the Sri Lankan pacers struggled to make early breakthroughs.…

With a shift in leadership, Indian cricket is embarking on a new chapter. Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is and Rahul Dravid being succeeded by Gautam Gambhir as head coach, the selectors, after consulting with the new coach, appointed Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the shortest format. This decision came as a surprise, especially since Hardik Pandya, who was the vice-captain for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, was expected to be the next skipper. However, considering Pandya’s history with injuries, the selectors and the new coach decided to pass the baton to Surya. With the stage set, it’s…

The game saw continuous shifts in momentum, with India and Zimbabwe fighting to take control. The match came down to the final over, with India needing 16 runs from six balls. Tendai Chatara brought all his experience to the fore and bowled an exceptional last over to secure a victory for Zimbabwe that gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series. This was the lowest total that Zimbabwe ever defended against India in T20Is. India’s innings faced challenges from the outset. A target of 116 should have been chased, but the Indian batters struggled on a tricky pitch, against…

It felt like all of Mumbai was out in full force last night, celebrating the magnificent victory alongside the World Champions, as the bus transporting Rohit Sharma and his team journeyed to the iconic Wankhede stadium. The parade was highlighted by loud cheers for the triumphant Indian team, with thousands participating in the grand festivities. Fans cheered with slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, and ‘India India’. It was an emotional moment for both the Indian team and their supporters. The usually calm and collected Rohit Sharma was seen dancing, first in Delhi, and later in his hometown…

Two nights have passed since the Indian team ended their 11-year wait for an ICC title with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados. The entire nation continues to celebrate because it took India more than a decade to secure an ICC trophy. For the fans, it was a moment to treasure and remember forever. However, the final day was bittersweet as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja played their last T20I for India. Just a day after Kohli and Rohit stepped away from T20Is with the World Cup trophy,…

At one point, South Africa needed 54 runs off 36 balls, and Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive hitting — two sixes and two fours off an over from Axar Patel — reduced the target to 30 off 30 balls. The Proteas appeared to be in control. However, Hardik Pandya delivered a crucial breakthrough, keeping the ball wide as Klaasen edged it behind. That dismissal, followed by David Miller’s inability to deliver in the final moments, left South Africa seven runs short of victory. Aiden Markram, who had an unbeaten record in ICC events as captain, was at a loss for words after…