Month: September 2023

ODI World Cup 2023: Warm-Up Match 1, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between BAN and SL? – CricTracker

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Bangladesh (BAN) and Sri Lanka (SL) will play a warm-up match in Guwahati on Friday, September 27, ahead of the highly-anticipated ODI World Cup.
The ‘Bangla Tigers’ are going through a tumultuous time off the field as two of their star players, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have been involved in a cold war. Apparently, captain Shakib didn’t want Tamim in his team as the opening batter is yet to fully recover from a back injury. However, this opens up an opportunity for young talent to impress on the global stage.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have had their own share of struggles with injuries. They lost their premier allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga due to a hamstring injury. Experienced pacer Dushmantha Chameera also missed the bus after suffering an injury during the Lanka Premier League in August.
These two sides met twice in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in both encounters with relative ease. The two Asian teams have formed quite a rivalry in recent years and fans of both countries will hope that their team bags a win and builds momentum ahead of the World Cup.
BAN vs SL Match Details:
Match: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI Match, ODI World Cup warm-up game
Venue:  Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Date & Time: Friday, September 29, 2:00 PM IST
Live Streaming Details: Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar app and website
Barsapara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report:
The batters have had a great time in the two men’s ODI matches played at this venue. India chased down a target of 323 in just 42.1 overs against the West Indies in 2018. In the other game played at this venue, earlier this year, India scored 373/7 in the first innings while Sri Lanka replied with 306/8. Therefore, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka batters could expect to have a field day out in the middle, while the bowlers might be kept on their toes. The captain who wins the toss could bat first and look to put on a big score.
BAN vs SL Head-to-Head Record:
Matches – 53, Bangladesh- 9, Sri Lanka – 42, N/R- 2
BAN vs SL Probable Playing XI
Bangladesh (BAN):
Shakib Al Hasan (C), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka (SL):
Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Matheesha Pathirana
Probable Best Performers:
Probable Best Batter:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh): 
The southpaw has been in fine form this year, scoring 698 runs in 14 innings at an average of 49.85 and a strike rate of 86.92. Shanto has scored two centuries and five half-centuries during this period. Dismissing him early will be crucial for Sri Lanka’s chances.
Probable Best Bowler:
Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka):
The Sri Lankan spinner suffered a terrible injury during the Asia Cup 2023 and his participation in the World Cup was under speculation. However, much to the happiness of the Lankan management, Theeskhana has returned and he will play a vital role in the absence of Hasaranga.
                               Today’s Match Prediction: Sri Lanka to win the match
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

Not one for legacies, World Cup could ease Rahul Dravid’s pain from 16 years ago – Hindustan Times

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As captain, Rahul Dravid oversaw some of Indian cricket’s finest moments in the 2000s. These included a first Test series win in the West Indies in 35 years (in 2006), a similar feat in England after a 26-year gap (2007), a maiden Test victory on South African soil (December 2006) and 17 consecutive successful run-chases in One-Day Internationals.
India’s head coach Rahul Dravid during a practice session.(Reuters)
Despite these glittering accomplishments, his captaincy tenure will largely be remembered for India’s first-round elimination from the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, a tournament they had entered as favourites but exited with their tails behind their legs after defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
It’s the same tournament, 16 and a half years on, that could facilitate Dravids redemption song, as head coach of the national team. Nearly two years into the job, the 50-year-old will be the first to acknowledge that his tenure has been like the proverbial Curates egg – good in parts. India have had their moments, but their reputation as a travelling Test side has taken a bit of a beating. Their wait for a global trophy has spilled over to an 11th year following an embarrassing semifinal exit at the T20 World Cup in Adelaide last November and defeat to Australia in the final of the World Test Championship in June. The World Cup, Dravid’s final assignment as his two-year term draws to a close, offers a glorious opportunity to purge those less than pleasant memories.
Dravid isn’t a great one for legacies, as he stressed before India’s departure towards the end of August for the Asia Cup which they won in Colombo last month. Questioned if he believed the World Cup would define his tenure as coach, he seemed momentarily surprised, but quickly recovered poise and replied in his typical measured manner, “I’m not into legacies. It’s exciting to play a World Cup at home. There is going to be a certain amount of pressure associated with it, but that is something we all expect. As a coach, I’m looking forward to it. I just stay in the present, worry about the job I have to do now and not worry about the future.”
There was a genuine wave of optimism and feel-good when Dravid took over from Ravi Shastri at the end of India’s disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup campaign. Under Virat Kohli and Shastri, India had become a fighting fit unit, forging a pace attack for the ages that drove them to successive Test series triumphs in Australia. It was expected that Dravid would help the team build on those gains. Having been the coach of the India ‘A’ and Under-19 teams for four years before taking over as the head honcho at the National Cricket Academy, Dravid’s transition as coach of the national team was organic and inevitable. With several of the young batters in particular having literally grown in front of his eyes, he had all the ingredients, not to mention the ability, to drive the team to greater heights.
Things haven’t quite panned out that way. Especially in Test cricket, India have chosen to look backwards rather than ahead, evidenced by the recall after months in the wilderness of first Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Apart from Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal (for two Tests earlier this year), no other young batter has been accorded the opportunity of proving his mettle. Having won six Tests in Australia and England between the end of 2018 and the middle of 2021, India lost three overseas Tests on the trot last year, their inability to defend 378 in the final innings of the delayed final Test against England in Birmingham in July 2022 a particular low point England knocked off those runs in just 76.4 overs for the loss of only three wickets.
At home, a decided slant towards surfaces favouring spinners even though their own batters too struggled on such tracks and even though India could summon Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami was singularly unedifying. It may not have been all Dravid, possibly, but as an equal half of the management group, he would have had a significant say; whether his was the loudest voice is open to speculation.
India carry form and momentum into the World Cup, but playing at home is a double-edged sword. A million things need to go right, one slip-up can be decisively conclusive. The next eight weeks will dictate how Rahul Dravid’s legacy as head coach will be defined.

PCB chairman’s controversial ‘dushman mulk’ remark as PAK players land in India – Hindustan Times

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The Pakistan cricket team made its arrival in India on Wednesday, marking their first visit to the country in seven years as they prepare for the 2023 ODI World Cup, set to commence on October 5. The squad had an extended layover in Dubai before reaching Hyderabad, and they had departed from Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday, arriving in Hyderabad later that night. Pakistan’s itinerary includes an opening warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29, followed by another warm-up clash with Australia on October 3. Their tournament opener will be against Netherlands, scheduled for October 10 in Hyderabad.
Zaka Ashraf fuels controversy with an unexpected remark following Pakistan players’ arrival in India for 2023 World Cup(Twitter/PTI)
Despite the historical political tensions between the two nations, Indian cricket fans showed their immense love for the sport by chanting the name of Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, as well as other players of the side, at the Hyderabad airport. The warm reception and fanfare for the Pakistan cricket team, particularly Babar, made the team’s arrival a memorable event. For most members of the squad, excluding Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Agha, this visit marks their first time in India.
Despite the warm reception from Indian fans, however, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf’s response has been rather unexpected. In an unfortunate turn of phrase during a press statement in Pakistan, he referred to India as an enemy nation while discussing the reception from Indian fans at the Hyderabad airport.
We have showed our love towards our players with the new contracts. No one has allocated as much budget towards player contracts as I’ve done. Mera maksad ye hi hai ki hamaare players ka morale up rehna chahiye, jab ye dushman mulk me khelne jaaye, ya kahi bhi jaaye jaha competition ho raha hai. (I only want my players to be in high morale when they travel to enemy nation, or anywhere in the world, to take part in the competition), Ashraf said.
The video of Ashraf’s statement has also gone viral on social media platform X, with fans from both countries criticising the PCB chairman for making the controversial remark.
Watch the video:
Pakistan to face NZ on Friday
Pakistan arrived less than 48 hours before their opening World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand on Friday. A total of 10 players, including two traveling reserves, attended the optional training session, demonstrating their awareness of the upcoming challenge.
Among the first batch of players to step into the nets were Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, who had previously warmed up in the field. They faced off against the formidable pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and the recently recovered Haris Rauf, who returned to action for the first time since the Asia Cup game against India on September 10.
Experienced bowler Hasan Ali, making a comeback to the team due to Naseem Shah’s injury, also resumed his training regimen under the guidance of bowling coach Morne Morkel.

Indian Team for World Cup 2023, List of All Players – Adda247

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The 13th edition of the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup is set to be played in India from October 5. England and New Zealand will feature in the opening match of the tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The final will also be held in Ahmedabad on November 19. Ten venues will host 48 matches across the country.
Indian Team for World Cup 2023
The Indian cricket team for the 2023 World Cup boasts a formidable lineup led by the dynamic Rohit Sharma, with Hardik Pandya serving as his vice-captain. With a perfect blend of experience and youth, this squad is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage. Superstars like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul provide a solid foundation at the top, while the middle order is fortified with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, and the explosive Ishan Kishan.
The bowling attack is in safe hands with world-class bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and the promising Mohammed Siraj, while the spin department is represented by the crafty Kuldeep Yadav and the reliable Axar Patel. With exciting talents like Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav in the mix, India’s campaign in the 2023 World Cup promises to be one filled with anticipation and excitement.
India’s final squad for the ICC World Cup 2023

  1. Rohit Sharma (c),
  2. Hardik Pandya (vc),
  3. Shubman Gill,
  4. Virat Kohli,
  5. Shreyas Iyer,
  6. KL Rahul,
  7. Ravindra Jadeja,
  8. Shardul Thakur,
  9. Jasprit Bumrah,
  10. Mohammed Siraj,
  11. Kuldeep Yadav,
  12. Mohammed Shami,
  13. Ravichandran Ashwin,
  14. Ishan Kishan,
  15. Suryakumar Yadav.

Why Ravichandran Ashwin replaces Axar Patel?
All rounder spinner Axar Patel was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. Ravichandran Ashwin replaced Axar Patel in India’s World Cup squad after good performance in India-Australia series. Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion makes him the only player with Virat Kohli who stands as the sole player hailing from India’s triumphant 2011 World Cup journey.
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Asian Games 2023 Day 6 Live Updates: India win 2 gold, 3 silver in shooting, another medal in tennis – India Today

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Esha Singh. Courtesy: Instagram
Hello and welcome to India Today’s live coverage of the Asian Games 2023 from Hangzhou, China
Boxing: Lakshya Chahar loses in Men’s 71-80kg preliminary Round of 16
India’s Lakshya Chahar crashes out of the Asian Games after suffering a 1:4 loss to Krygystan’s Omurbek Bekzhigit in the Men’s 71-80kg preliminary Round of 16.
Table tennis: Sreeja-Diya lose in women’s doubles round of 16
India’s Sreeja Akula and Diya Chitale lost 3-11, 5-11, 8-11 to Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara of Japan in the women’s doubles round of 16.
Cycling: David Beckham reaches semi-finals
David Beckham has driven his way into the semi-finals of cycling after finishing second in Heat 2 of the First Round. 
Shooting: Aishwary Pratap wins silver medal in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
India continues its impressive performance in shooting as Aishwary secures a second spot in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, earning a well-deserved silver medal. This is Aishwary’s fourth medal and India’s 18th shooting medal in the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Boxing: Parveen reaches quarters of women’s 57kg event
Parveen secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the women’s 57kg event by defeating the local favorite, Xu Zichun, with a unanimous 5:0 decision. Throughout the match, both fighters displayed exceptional speed and agility, especially in the third round. However, while Zichun’s punches primarily targeted the torso, Parveen was more accurate at connecting with punches to the face.
Tennis: Bopanna, Bhosale through to final
Rohan Bopanna and Rutuja Bhosale are through to the final of the mixed doubles after beating Yu-hsiou Hsu and Hao-ching Chan 6-1, 3-6, 10-4 
GOLF Update: Aditi Ashok is tied at 2nd spot
Aditi Ashok is currently sharing the 2nd position, Pranavi Urs is tied for 10th place, Avani Prashanth is in a tie for 15th place, and in the team event, India is currently tied for 3rd place.
Shooting: Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions Final underway!
Aishwary and Swapnil are in action as the Men’s 50m rifle 3P individual final gets underway.
Asian Games 2023 Live: Major upcoming events
11:30 AM IST: There will be the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions Final
Also, at 11:30 AM IST, there’s the DOTA2 Group A Match 1 between India and Kyrgyzstan
Then, at 12 PM IST, the Women’s 57kg Round of 16 in Boxing will feature Parveen facing off against Xu Zichun from China.
Table Tennis: Manika Batra scripts history
Manika Batra has become the first Indian to advance to the quarter-finals of the Singles event at the Asian Games. The Indian paddler is just one win away from an ensured medal. 
Table Tennis: Thakkar, Manush reach quarters
Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah made their way through to the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles after beating Singapores Pang Yew En Koen and Izaac Quek Yong 3-2 (3-11, 11-9, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8). 
They will next face Korea’s Jang Woojin and Lim Jonghoon in the next round. 
Squash: India win bronze in team event
India lost to Hong Kong 1-2 and won bronze in the women’s team event. Anahat Singh saved six match points, but lost (8-11, 7-11, 10-12) to 29-year-old Lee Ka Yi.
Table Tennis: Sharath, Sathiyan
Sharath Kamal and G. Sathiyan lost to China’s Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin 0-3 (5-11, 4-11, 7-11) in the men’s doubles Round of 16. 
Swimming: Sajan Prakash reaches men’s 200m butterfly final
Sajan Prakash secured the sixth position in the heats with a time of 1:58.40s, earning a spot in the final scheduled for today at 6:18 PM IST.
Anish Gowda clocked 2:05.21s, finishing in 13th position.
Unfortunately, in the men’s 400m freestyle, Aryan Nehra (3:58.18s) and Kushagra Rawat (4:01.24s) came in 11th and 17th, respectively, during the heats, failing to qualify for the final.
The women’s 4x100m medley relay team (4:23.46s) placed ninth in their heat, missing the chance to compete in the medal race.
Shooting: Palak wins gold and Esha Singh claims silver in 10m Air Pistol Women’s Final
Double delight for India in the women’s 10m air pistol at the Asian Games as Palak wins the gold with 242.1, Esha takes silver with 239.7. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ishmala gets bronze with 218.2. 
Badminton: Indian women’s team lost 0-3 to Thailand
In the second round, the Indian women’s badminton team lost to Thailand 0-3. Ashmita Chaliha, in particular, faced a strong opponent in Busanan Ongbamrungphan and lost with scores of 9-21 and 16-21.
Swimming: Advait Page reaches men’s 200m backstroke final
Advait Page achieved a time of 2 minutes and 3.01 seconds in the men’s 200m backstroke heats, securing seventh position overall. This successful performance earned him a spot in the final, scheduled to occur today at 5:26 PM IST.
Tennis: India’s Saketh-Ramkumar win silver in men’s doubles final
The Indian duo of Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni lost the tennis men’s doubles final to the Taiwan duo in straight sets and had to settle for silver in the Asian Games 2023.
Shooting: Record for India
Back in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, India won as many as 14 medals in shooting. After the men’s team won gold in the 5 rifle 3 positions event, India raced to their 15th medal, setting a new record. 
Shooting: India win Gold medal in Men’s 50m Rifle 3Ps Team event
The Indian team secured the gold medal with a score of 1769 in the men’s 5 rifle 3 positions event, featuring Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale, and Akhil Sheoran. On their way to clinching the gold medal, the Indian sharpshooters shattered the existing World Record by amassing a total of 1769 points, surpassing the prior record established by the United States in 2022 during the CAT championships by an impressive eight points.