Galle, January 30, 2025 – Australia stamped their authority on the opening Test of the Murali-Warner Test Series against Sri Lanka, posting a mammoth 654/6 before declaring on Day 2 at the Galle International Stadium. The hosts found themselves in deep trouble at 44/3, with rain halting play and adding to their woes.

Australia’s Batting Masterclass

Australia’s innings was built on a sensational double century by Usman Khawaja (232 off 290) and a commanding 141 from Steve Smith. The duo stitched together a 250-run stand for the third wicket, exhausting Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.

Josh Inglis (100 off 90 balls) added fireworks with a rapid century, while *Alex Carey (46) and Mitchell Starc (19) provided late contributions to push the total past 650. Sri Lanka’s bowlers toiled hard, using three unsuccessful reviews, but failed to contain the visitors.

Sri Lanka’s Struggles Begin

In response, Sri Lanka’s batting crumbled early, losing three wickets for just 44 runs in 15 overs before rain interrupted play. The Aussies struck early, dismissing BOP Fernando cheaply, while Dinesh Chandimal (9*) and Kamindu Mendis (13*) were left to battle against a relentless Australian attack.

Looking Ahead

With Sri Lanka still 610 runs behind, they will need a monumental effort to avoid an innings defeat. The third day will be crucial as the hosts attempt to rebuild and stay in the contest.

Stay tuned for live updates and analysis on Sri Lankan Sports TV!

Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly set to return to his boyhood club, Santos, after mutually terminating his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The 32-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, is expected to sign a short-term deal with Santos, where he began his illustrious career.

Neymar’s departure from Al-Hilal marks the end of an injury-riddled stint with the club, where he made just seven appearances since joining in August 2023 for a staggering £77.6 million. His time in Saudi Arabia was marred by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023. Despite returning briefly in late 2024, Neymar has not featured since November.

Neymar Turns Down MLS for Santos

While Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire attempted to secure Neymar’s signature, the Brazilian forward opted to return to Santos instead. Chicago Fire had exclusive rights to negotiate with Neymar in the MLS, but the player reportedly preferred rejoining the club where he scored 136 goals in 225 matches before his 2013 move to Barcelona.

Inter Miami was also linked to Neymar, with speculation that he could reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, Neymar’s decision to return to Santos highlights his sentimental connection to his first club.

A Glittering Career Comes Full Circle

Neymar rose to global prominence at Santos before joining Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup. In 2017, he became the world’s most expensive footballer, moving to Paris Saint-Germain for a record £200 million. During his time in Paris, Neymar secured five Ligue 1 titles and further solidified his legacy.

Following his move to Al-Hilal, Neymar expressed ambitions to “write new sporting history,” but injuries limited his impact. Now, as he prepares for a new chapter with Santos, fans eagerly await the return of one of Brazil’s greatest talents to his roots.

Stay updated with the latest football news at Sri Lankan Sports TV.

As India prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy, questions are being raised about the team’s recent performances under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Since taking over the role following Rahul Dravid’s exit, Gambhir has faced criticism for India’s inconsistent results, and the upcoming tournaments are seen as pivotal moments for his tenure.

The team’s disappointing performances have also put senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Mohammed Siraj under scrutiny. While calls for changes in the Test setup grow louder, the focus remains on whether Gambhir can successfully steer the team through this transitional phase and deliver strong results in major tournaments.

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that Gambhir’s future as head coach hinges not only on the Champions Trophy but also on the subsequent Test series against England.

“The BCCI will likely assess his performance after the England tour, which will mark a year since he took charge,”

Chopra stated.

Gambhir was brought in to oversee a smooth transition and develop the next generation of Indian cricketers, but the pressure is mounting.

“The team’s performance in England could be the deciding factor. The review will focus on how well he has prepared the team and whether the results have improved over the past year,”

Chopra added.

If India fails to deliver in the ICC Champions Trophy and the England Test series, the BCCI may reconsider Gambhir’s position. However, experts argue that a full year is necessary to evaluate a coach’s impact, and the Champions Trophy offers an opportunity for Gambhir to prove his credentials.

With the tournament fast approaching, India’s ability to perform under pressure will determine not just their success but also the future of their coaching setup.

Stay updated on India’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign and other cricket news at Sri Lankan Sports TV.