News

Wanindu, Dimuth heroics take Sri Lanka to super six in World Cup qualifiers

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2023

Editor

Sri Lanka booked their slot in the Super Six stage of the Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament after a dominant 133-run win over Ireland in their third game on Sunday.

The win sealed Sri Lanka’s spot in the super six stage. Scotland and Oman also advanced to the super six stage after finishing second and third respectively in Group B.

Earlier put into bat first Sri Lanka were in some sort of trouble when they were at 48-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Sri Lanka desperately needing a big partnership saw Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama deliver when the duo mounted a rescue with a solid third-wicket partnership worth 168 to tilt the game back in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne made a run-a-ball 103 and Sadeera Samarawickrama hit 82 as Sri Lanka compiled an imposing total of 325 all out off 49.5 overs.

Charith Asalanka (38) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42 not out) also chipped in as Ireland sought to limit the damage in the closing overs.

Dimuth notched up his maiden century after 12 years since he debuted.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 192 as Wanindu Hasaranga scalped another five-wicket haul. Besides that, Maheesh Theekshana also took 2/29. This was his third consecutive five-wicket haul in ODIs. With this, Hasaranga equals the world record for most consecutive five-fors in ODIs with Pakistan’s Waqar Younis.

In the post-match presentation, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka lauded the boy’s effort especially Dimuth Karunaratne who went on to say opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead their batting order.

“Everything is going in the right direction. We could have performed better with the bat towards the end. Perhaps the aggressive batting from myself and Wanindu didn’t yield the desired results in the latter part of the game,” said Shanaka.

He went on to say that Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead the team from the top of the batting order. Karunaratne scored 103 runs off as many balls, hitting eight boundaries in his innings against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batter Dimuth Karunaratne who brought up his maiden ODI century was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his knock of 103, which contributed to a comprehensive win for Sri Lanka by 133 runs.
In the post-match conference, Karunaratne said he wants to make it big when he gets the start.

“Not at all (On whether the chance for ODI hundred had passed him), wanted to continue for the team. That’s what I do. If I get a start, I want to go for the big one. (On the pitch) In the morning, there is something for the bowlers, but when the swing stops we can get some boundaries. I was waiting for that, the first hour was about giving the bowlers respect. I try to apply the same technique, that is what has helped me score heavily in Test cricket. Don’t try to hit them hard, just time them well,” Karunaratne said.

Sri Lanka are all set to face Scotland in their next World Cup Qualifier match on June 27 at Bulawayo.

Sri Lanka: 325 all out in 49.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 103, Sadeera Samarawickrama 82; Mark Adair 4/46, Barry McCarthy 3/56) vs Ireland: 192 all out in 31 overs (Curtis Campher 39, Harry Tector 33; Wanindu Hasaranga 5/79; Maheesh Theekshana 2-29)

Cricket

IPL 2025 Playoff Race: Who Will Secure the Final Four Spots?

Published

54 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Editor

As the Indian Premier League 2025 enters its final stretch, the playoff battle has intensified with most teams having played 10 of their 14 matches. While some franchises have all but confirmed their spot in the top four, others are locked in a fierce competition to stay alive.

Here’s a look at how the table stands and who’s most likely to make it to the playoffs:

Current Top 4 (after 10 matches):

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – 14 points
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 13 points
Mumbai Indians (MI) – 12 points
Gujarat Titans (GT) – 12 points (1 game in hand)

RCB has bounced back impressively with 3 consecutive wins, giving them a strong chance of securing a top-two finish. With four matches remaining, two more wins could guarantee their playoff qualification.

PBKS have been solid but inconsistent. With 13 points, they need just one more win to stay ahead, though their net run rate (+0.199) may be a concern in case of a tie.

MI and GT, both with 12 points, are neck-and-neck. GT, however, has an advantage with a game in hand and a superior net run rate (+0.748). Winning at least two of their remaining five matches should see them through.

Challengers Still in the Mix:

Delhi Capitals (DC) – 12 points, NRR +0.362
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – 10 points
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – 9 points

DC is firmly in the hunt but will need to improve consistency after a mixed last five games. LSG and KKR will need to win at least 3 of their last 4 matches and hope other results go their way.

Teams Almost Out:

Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – 6 points
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – 4 points

CSK, the five-time champions, are officially out of the playoff race after securing only 2 wins in 10 games – their worst performance in years. RR and SRH also appear to be on the brink of elimination.

Prediction for Top 4 Playoff Spots:

RCB – Likely top finishers with strong form
GT – One game in hand gives a crucial edge
MI – Solid NRR and experienced campaigners
DC – Slight edge over PBKS due to momentum and NRR

As the league heads into its final four rounds, every run, wicket, and over will matter. The playoff picture is far from settled and promises high drama in the coming weeks.

News

Sri Lanka’s Rising Tennis Stars Shine at ITF Junior Circuit J30 Week 2

Published

4 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Editor

Sri Lanka’s young tennis talents, Yuhansa Peiris and Ashlin de Silva, delivered impressive performances in the first round of the ITF Junior Circuit J30 Week 2 tournament held at the SSC tennis courts in Colombo.

In the girls’ singles category, Yuhansa Peiris showcased resilience and skill to overcome China’s Zhuo Chen in straight sets, winning 7-6, 6-2. Her victory marks a significant achievement in her budding tennis career.

On the boys’ side, Ashlin de Silva demonstrated dominance on the court, defeating India’s Ayaan Mohammad with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 scoreline. Ashlin’s performance reflects his growing prowess in the junior tennis circuit.

Other Notable Results:

• Girls’ Singles: Hanu Ishida (Japan) beat Malanesa Susanto (Indonesia) 6-2, 6-2.

• Boys’ Singles: Kazuki Nekajma (Japan) defeated Aahil Kaleel (Sri Lanka) 6-2, 6-2.

The tournament continues to provide a platform for young athletes to compete at an international level, fostering the development of future tennis stars.

For more updates on the tournament and Sri Lanka’s emerging tennis talents, stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV.

News

O3 Deo Spray Enters Sri Lanka’s Men’s Grooming Market with a Bold, Sporty Twist

Published

12 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Editor

ICL Brands (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the Capital Maharaja Group, has officially launched the all-new O3 Deo Spray—a product designed to revolutionize men’s personal grooming in Sri Lanka. With a clear focus on sports, fitness, and an active lifestyle, this high-energy fragrance brand is set to appeal to the modern Sri Lankan man who lives life on the move.

Unveiled at a special event attended by key stakeholders and company leaders, the O3 Deo Spray brings a new dimension to men’s grooming with its long-lasting, dynamic fragrance crafted for performance and style. With bold notes that promise freshness throughout the day, it’s made for those who train, compete, and conquer life with confidence.

“We saw a need in the market for grooming products that truly reflect the energy and ambition of today’s youth,” said Roni Chacko, CEO of ICL Brands. “O3 is more than a deo—it’s a lifestyle product for men who push boundaries.”

Echoing this sentiment, Suresh Srinivasan, Group CEO of the Capital Maharaja Group, noted, “O3 has always represented bold energy. With the launch of this new deo spray, we’re reaffirming our commitment to enhancing the lifestyles of young Sri Lankans who are driven by action and adventure.”

As sports and fitness continue to shape the aspirations of the younger generation, O3 Deo Spray steps in as a grooming essential for men who want to stay fresh, confident, and ready for anything.