SPORTS MANIA

Batsman Oshada Fernando took the field to replace Mathews for the first match of the two-Test series. Mathews will be in isolation for five days. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sri-lankas-angelo-mathews-out-with-covid-as-first-test-against-australia-resumes-on-day-3/articleshow/92589070.cms

Comprehensively beaten in both Test matches by the West Indies, Bangladesh's cricketers are hoping the clouds of uncertainty ahead of their three-match T20 International series will blow away in time for Saturday's opening encounter at Windsor Park in Dominica. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bangladesh-hope-to-rebound-in-t20-series-with-west-indies/articleshow/92588043.cms

If you feel like turning up the volume on your TV sets just a bit when India play England in Edgbaston starting Friday, don't hesitate. David Gower is in town and his ready wit will be heard as he calls the action from the TV Studios of rainy Mumbai. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-ben-stokes-has-a-bullet-proof-approach-to-cricket-says-david-gower/articleshow/92585934.cms

Unlike the India-Australia contests, the India versus England rivalry has been devoid of personality clashes like Shane Warne vs Sachin Tendulkar or Glenn McGrath vs Tendulkar. There were only brief episodes in the early 2000s when Nasser Hussain and Sourav Ganguly clashed with their unique captaincy styles. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-5th-test-old-rivalry-new-look/articleshow/92585406.cms

Pakistan has given separate contracts to players in the Test and limited-overs squads in a bid to build long-term depth, the chief selector said Thursday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/pakistan-players-to-get-separate-test-and-limited-overs-contracts/articleshow/92570640.cms

The broadcaster has moved the court seeking to terminate its A$450 million ($309.69 million) six-year deal alleging "multiple quality and standard breaches by CA" of the media rights agreement between the two. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/cricket-australia-astonished-by-seven-network-court-action/articleshow/92568895.cms

James Anderson thought he had seen it all over the course of an England career spanning nearly two decades but the Test team's transformation under new coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes has caught the veteran seamer by surprise. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/james-anderson-stunned-by-fearless-england-transformation/articleshow/92562357.cms

Will Jasprit Bumrah become Test captain No. 36 for India at Edgbaston? ​​Rohit Sharma’s second RT-PCR Test has also come positive. Addressing a virtual media conference on Wednesday, India coach Rahul Dravid chose to be guarded about Bumrah’s elevation and Rohit’s exclusion. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-2022-5th-test-jasprit-bumrah-set-to-be-indias-test-captain-no-36-but-rahul-dravid-says-rohit-sharma-still-not-ruled-out/articleshow/92559868.cms

India opener KL Rahul on Wednesday informed that he has undergone successful surgery and is now "healing and recovering well". source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/kl-rahul-undergoes-successful-surgery-following-tough-couple-of-weeks/articleshow/92561217.cms

To illustrate his point ahead of the fifth Test against England beginning July 1 at Edgbaston, Dravid highlighted Kohli’s 79 in the first innings of the third Test at Cape Town as an instance of a good knock on a tough pitch without it being a three-figure knock. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-2022-virat-kohli-an-inspiring-figure-dont-look-at-his-100s-as-success-says-india-coach-rahul-dravid/articleshow/92560303.cms

The winds of change have blown so hard for both India and England since the fifth Test of the 2021 season at Old Trafford, Manchester, in September, got pushed to 2022 July in Edgbaston, Birmingham, that there is very little that is familiar. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-2022-how-things-have-changed-for-india-and-england-since-the-unfinished-tour-from-last-year/articleshow/92558967.cms

Former England spinner Graeme Swann has picked England as the favourites to win the crucial fifth Test match against India, starting July 1 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. The fifth Test was cancelled last year and had to be rescheduled due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian camp. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-if-virat-kohli-plays-like-joe-root-is-right-now-we-are-in-for-a-treat-says-graeme-swann/articleshow/92539741.cms

The big-hitting Deepak Hooda believes himself to be "a warrior" when faced with the task of tackling the new ball in conditions favourable to bowlers. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/if-you-dont-have-any-option-then-why-dont-you-go-there-like-a-warrior-deepak-hooda/articleshow/92537167.cms

With Karnataka failing to win a title across age groups both among men and women this season, former India pacer Javagal Srinath is of the opinion that the foundation at the academy-level has to be strengthened for the progress of the sport in the state. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/dont-sell-cricket-teach-it-javagal-srinath/articleshow/92536417.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-vs-australia-1st-test-live-cricket-score/liveblog/92535108.cms

Hardik Pandya-led Indian cricket team on Tuesday won a nail-biting match by four runs against Ireland despite putting a mammoth total of 225 runs on the board in the second T20I here at The Village in Dublin. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/with-his-pace-its-difficult-to-hit-runs-hardik-pandya-reveals-his-decision-to-hand-umran-malik-last-crucial-over-of-the-match/articleshow/92533737.cms

Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda on Tuesday registered the highest T20I partnership for India with 176 runs off 85 deliveries here at The Village in Dublin. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/deepak-hooda-sanju-samson-register-highest-partnership-for-india-in-t20i-cricket/articleshow/92535937.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/in-pics-india-survive-scare-in-tense-t20i-win-over-ireland/photostory/92534032.cms

England's smashing form, which has seen them clean sweep New Zealand 3-0 in the recent Test series at home, makes them the favourites for the rescheduled fifth Test against India at Edgbaston, feels England allrounder Moeen Ali. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-india-are-undercooked-for-edgbaston-test-says-moeen-ali/articleshow/92531954.cms

India will be touring New Zealand for a white-ball series comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs after the World T20 in Australia, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Tuesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/india-to-tour-new-zealand-for-white-ball-series-after-t20-world-cup/articleshow/92509791.cms

England beat the Black Caps by seven wickets in the third Test at Headingley on Monday to sweep the series but they might find New Zealand a tougher prospect on home tracks in Wellington and Tauranga next February. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/new-zealand-get-chance-for-rapid-revenge-in-home-tests-against-england/articleshow/92510603.cms

England have just a few days to savour their series victory against Test world champions New Zealand before facing India at Edgbaston in the rescheduled fifth Test from the unfinished tour last year. India lead the series 2-1. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-2022-ben-stokes-vows-same-england-mindset-against-india-after-new-zealand-rout/articleshow/92508078.cms

When Madhya Pradesh lifted the Ranji Trophy on Sunday, there were celebrations across the state – and in one home in Kanpur. Maybe, now he will be back…Kumar Kartikeya, the standout bowler for the MP side with five wickets, had left home nine years ago, vowing, “Kuchh kar ke hi lautunga. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/left-home-at-15-kartikeya-has-arrived/city/bhopal/left-home-at-15-kartikeya-has-arrived/articleshow/92478436.cms

West Indies claimed the last four wickets swiftly despite an entertaining, unbeaten 60 by Nurul Hasan to dismiss the visitors for 186 in their second innings. That left WI captain Kraigg Brathwaite and opening partner John Campbell with the formality of knocking off the 13 runs required for victory. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/west-indies-sweep-bangladesh-with-10-wicket-rout-in-second-test/articleshow/92506645.cms

Former England off-spinner and forever Ashes hero Graeme Swann talks to TOI about all things spin ahead of the India-England Test in Birmingham. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-yuzvendra-chahal-should-be-in-the-test-squad-says-graeme-swann/articleshow/92506270.cms

Sri Lanka secured a stunning 3-2 victory in the one-day international series last week and the hosts will count on a bowling attack packed with spinners to give them the edge in the two-Test series beginning June 29. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/1st-test-sri-lanka-turn-to-spin-in-bid-to-inflict-more-pain-on-australia/articleshow/92483685.cms

Of all the six Ranji titles that Chandrakant Pandit has won as a domestic coach, the one he won with Madhya Pradesh when his team beat Mumbai by six wickets in the final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium must have felt the closest to his heart. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ranji-trophy-final-chandrakant-pandit-finds-redemption-at-chinnaswamy-stadium/articleshow/92481220.cms

Even as he didn't blame the umpires for his team's six-wicket defeat to Madhya Pradesh in the final to Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai coach Amol Muzumdar urged the BCCI to use the Decision Review System in the Ranji Trophy knockouts in the future. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bring-back-drs-in-ranji-trophy-knockouts-amol-muzumdar/articleshow/92481562.cms

Kemar Roach became just the sixth West Indian to claim 250 Test wickets as the senior pacer swept through the top order of the Bangladesh second innings to put his team on course for victory on the third day of the second and final Test at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/2nd-test-kemar-roach-runs-through-bangladesh-top-order-to-put-west-indies-on-top-on-day-three/articleshow/92480487.cms

Ireland put up a spirited fight but India proved too strong for the home team to win the rain-hit opening T20I by seven wickets on Sunday. Harry Tector's counter-attacking 64 not out off 33 balls took Ireland to 108 for four after the rain reduced the game to 12 overs a side source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/india-vs-ireland-1st-t20i-india-coast-to-seven-wicket-win-over-spirited-ireland/articleshow/92477876.cms

England are 113 runs away from completing a series whitewash against New Zealand after the hosts put themselves in a commanding position with eight wickets in hand in the final innings of the third Test on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/3rd-test-england-113-runs-away-from-series-sweep-against-new-zealand/articleshow/92477235.cms

Alongside former India A and current NCA coach Sitanshu Kotak, Niraj Odedra contributed immensely to the rise of Saurashtra as a formidable red-ball outfit over the past decade, culminating in the team's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph in 2020. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/saurashtra-strongman-niraj-odedra-goes-international-with-bermuda-head-coach-job/articleshow/92468281.cms

​Harmanpreet achieved this feat during the second T20I against Sri Lanka in which she remained unbeaten on 31. She now has 2,372 runs in 123 matches at an average of 26.65, with one century and six half-centuries. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/harmanpreet-kaur-overtakes-mithali-raj-as-indias-leading-run-scorer-in-womens-t20is/articleshow/92466490.cms

Kyle Mayers's undiminished appetite for Bangladesh's bowling took him to a second Test century and lifted the West Indies to 340 for five on the second day of the second and final Test in St Lucia on Saturday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/2nd-test-kyle-mayerss-century-helps-west-indies-dominate-bangladesh-on-day-two/articleshow/92466095.cms

Rohit, who was playing in India's ongoing four-day warm-up game against Leicestershire ahead of the rescheduled fifth Test against England, has gone into quarantine. His availability for the Test beginning July 1 in Edgbaston will now be subject to his recovery, source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/rohit-sharma-tests-positive-for-covid-19-ahead-of-indias-rescheduled-fifth-test-in-england/articleshow/92465079.cms

Virat Kohli showed his class, hitting an impressive 67 off 98 balls while Shreyas Iyer (62) and Ravindra Jadeja (56 not out) also got ample batting practice as India finished their second innings on 364 for 7 against Leicestershire on day three of their four-day warm-up match here on Saturday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/virat-kohli-hits-67-shreyas-iyer-ravindra-jadeja-also-score-fifties-in-warm-up-game/articleshow/92462079.cms

England's bowlers struck three times in quick succession late on day three to take control of the final Test against New Zealand at Headingley on Saturday and stay on course for a 3-0 series sweep. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/england-strike-late-to-seize-control-of-3rd-test/articleshow/92461960.cms

'Let's fight it out, guys', India captain Kapil Dev said loudly while entering the dressing room after India posted 183 runs on the board in the epic 1983 World Cup final against the mighty West Indies. And, the rest as they say is history. Defending 183, the Indian bowlers wrapped up the West Indies innings for 140, claiming a 43-run win and the title for the country. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/1983-world-cup-win-anniversary-lets-fight-it-out-balwinder-sandhu-and-madan-lal-recall-kapil-devs-golden-words/articleshow/92449228.cms

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has likened the England series to a heavyweight boxing bout and thinks the Black Caps are still very much in the fight in the third Test after a topsy-turvy day two at Headingley. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/new-zealand-still-in-heavyweight-headingley-fight-says-daryl-mitchell/articleshow/92450214.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ranji-trophy-final-2022-mumbai-vs-madhya-pradesh-live-cricket-score-updates/liveblog/92446826.cms

Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell consolidated a dominant position for the West Indies in reaching 67 without loss at stumps after their bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 234 on the first day of the second and final Test in St Lucia on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/wi-vs-ban-2nd-test-west-indies-dominate-bangladesh-on-day-1/articleshow/92447820.cms

Yash Dubey (133), Shubham Sharma (116) and Rajat Patidar (67 not out) have been the cornerstone of MP’s batting unit this season and delivered yet again. At stumps on the third day, MP were at 368/3, just six runs away from Mumbai’s first-inning total of 374. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ranji-trophy-final-madhya-pradesh-bat-their-way-to-ascendancy-on-day-three/articleshow/92446803.cms

Rishabh Pant decided to rise in the west after his woes in the sub-continent, batting in his signature attacking manner to hog the limelight on the second day of the warm-up match between India and Leicestershire. One among four India players to turn out for the English county side in the practice match meant to help the visitors acclimatise with the conditions, Pant knocked his way to an entertaining 76 off 87 balls at Grace Road. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/warm-up-match-day-2-rishabh-pant-rises-in-west-with-his-signature-attacking-batting/articleshow/92442857.cms

England centurion Johnny Bairstow and debutant Jamie Overton blazed a thrilling unbeaten seventh wicket stand of 209 in 223 balls to guide their teetering side to 264 for six at the close of the second day of the third Test with New Zealand on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/3rd-test-day-2-brilliant-jonny-bairstow-and-unlikely-hero-jamie-overton-rescue-england-first-innings/articleshow/92443486.cms

Domestic and Mumbai cricket's latest 'run-machine' Sarfaraz Khan is set to reap the rewards of his sensational run in the Ranji Trophy in the past two seasons. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sarfaraz-khan-set-to-be-picked-for-test-series-against-bangladesh/articleshow/92424310.cms

Nicholls, on the stroke of tea, drove hard at Leach only for the ball to ricochet off non-striker Daryl Mitchell's bat and loop gently to Alex Lees at mid-off. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/england-vs-new-zealand-3rd-test-jack-leach-says-freak-henry-nicholls-wicket-all-part-of-silly-cricket/articleshow/92425470.cms

Rashid has so far found it difficult to make the pilgrimage because of his cricket commitments, but the 34-year-old leg-spinner, who will be travelling with his wife, has been given the all-clear to head to Saudi Arabia this weekend by both county club Yorkshire and the England and Wales Cricket Board. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/englands-adil-rashid-to-miss-india-white-ball-series-for-hajj-pilgrimage/articleshow/92425101.cms

Ahead of the two-T20I series, Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie talks about putting pressure on anxious second-string Indian team, T20 leagues and opportunities. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/playing-in-the-ipl-is-a-huge-ambition-for-us-ireland-captain-andrew-balbirnie/articleshow/92424038.cms

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was left out of India's home Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, forced his way back into the national team for the fifth Test against England after scoring 720 runs in just 5 matches with an outstanding average of 120 for Sussex. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/first-class-stint-helped-me-to-return-to-form-and-make-india-comeback-cheteshwar-pujara/articleshow/92405806.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/podcasts/toisportscast/sabas-take-hardik-pandya-2-0-tour-of-ireland-the-role-selectors-play/toipodcast/92314128.cms