Cricket
Kamindu Mendis ton goes in vain as England take 1-0 lead
Sri Lanka tour of England 2024 (First Test)
Kamindu Mendis’ outstanding century proved futile as England clinched a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, thereby establishing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The fourth day commenced with Sri Lanka at 204-6, featuring Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal at the crease. The pair adopted a cautious approach during the initial session, managing to avoid any dismissals while forming a 117-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Kamindu emerged as the standout performer with the bat, achieving his third century in just four Test matches. The left-handed batsman scored 113 runs, including 15 boundaries and a six, before being dismissed at slip immediately after lunch.
This dismissal disrupted Sri Lanka’s innings, as the visitors struggled to accumulate runs, resulting in the loss of their last four wickets within a mere 26 balls.
Dinesh Chandimal, the only recognized batsman remaining, attempted to accelerate the scoring but ultimately he too bit the dust as Sri Lanka added 122 runs to their overnight score, setting a target of 205 runs for England.
In reply, the Host encountered a formidable challenge in their quest for 205 runs to win the first Test against Sri Lanka. Following the loss of their top order before tea on Day 4 at Old Trafford, England found themselves in a precarious position at 70-3, needing an additional 135 runs for victory.
Joe Root and Harry Brook were the only recognized batsmen remaining, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who had scored a century in the first innings, poised to bat next. The run rate had dipped to 3.97 runs per over, heightening the tension surrounding the outcome.
Dismissals of Ben Duckett (11), Dan Lawrence (34), and captain Ollie Pope (6) had left England’s batting order exposed.
Nevertheless, Root demonstrated resilience, guiding England to victory. He formed vital partnerships with Harry Brook (32) and Jamie Smith (39), ensuring the scoreboard continued to advance.
Despite the loss of Brook and Smith during the chase, Root remained steadfast, ultimately sealing the win for England with a determined 62 runs off 128 balls.
The second Test match between England and Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on August 29 at Lord’s.
Cricket
Harbhajan Singh Criticizes Jayawardene and Malinga for Over-Involvement in MI Dugout During IPL Qualifier
In a surprising turn of events during IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, cricket legend and former Mumbai Indians player Harbhajan Singh has voiced concern over what he termed “excessive involvement” by Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga during Mumbai Indians’ defeat against Punjab Kings.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after MI’s seven-wicket loss at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Harbhajan took issue with the coaching staff’s frequent instructions from the dugout — especially during tense moments when MI bowlers were under pressure.
Too many signals, too much talking — even with someone like Jasprit Bumrah, who knows exactly what he’s doing,” Harbhajan remarked. “At times, you need a calm and collected environment, especially during high-pressure games. Coaches should guide, not command every move from the sidelines.
Punjab Kings chased down a formidable target of 204, with captain Shreyas Iyer anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 87 to secure a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite Mumbai posting a solid total, their bowlers failed to contain the opposition — a point that Harbhajan feels may have been worsened by the atmosphere in the MI dugout.
Jayawardene, MI’s Head of Global Performance, and Malinga, the bowling coach, were both seen actively engaging with players during the game, a move Harbhajan believes may have unintentionally undermined the confidence of seasoned campaigners like Bumrah.
I’ve been part of that setup. The coaching staff means well, but showing visible desperation can impact player morale,
Harbhajan added.
With this loss, Mumbai Indians miss out on a shot at their sixth IPL title, while discussions surrounding the balance between guidance and over-coaching during matches are sure to continue
Cricket
Kusal Mendis Falls Short in High-Stakes IPL Eliminator Clash
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis failed to rise to the occasion during a crucial IPL 2025 Eliminator as Gujarat Titans fell short in their chase against Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Chasing a steep target of 229, Gujarat Titans needed early momentum. While opener Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a composed 80 off 49 deliveries, Kusal Mendis—expected to play a key supporting role—could not live up to expectations on this competitive stage.
Mendis, who had the platform to make an impact, started aggressively with two sixes in his 10-ball 20 but threw away his wicket in an uncharacteristic manner—getting out hit wicket to Mitchell Santner. In a high-pressure match where composure was vital, Mendis’s dismissal was a major setback for GT, stalling their momentum during a promising phase of the innings.
This was an opportunity for Mendis to demonstrate consistency and reliability at the highest level of franchise cricket, especially with the eyes of selectors and fans fixed on performances under pressure. However, the lack of game awareness and a reckless approach led to a soft exit at a crucial moment.
GT eventually managed 208/6, falling short by 20 runs. With Mendis’s early exit, the middle order was left exposed to the mounting run rate, and despite brief resistance from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, the chase fizzled out.
While Mendis has shown flashes of brilliance in previous matches, this performance serves as a reminder of the demands of knockout-stage cricket. With playoffs being the toughest test of mental and technical strength, Sri Lanka’s white-ball star must tighten his game to deliver when it matters most.
Cricket
Nuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) booked their place in the grand finale of IPL 2025 with an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2, chasing down 102 runs in just 10 overs. The match, held in Ahmedabad, saw RCB continue their dominant form in the playoffs, with Sri Lanka’s very own Nuwan Thushara making his presence felt on the biggest T20 franchise stage.
Thushara, who has been a consistent figure in RCB’s bowling attack, picked up a crucial wicket in the Qualifier 1 against Lucknow Super Giants and has steadily built a reputation as a reliable powerplay bowler. His unique slingy action and accuracy have made him a fan favourite in Bengaluru and among Sri Lankan cricket fans. Although he took just 1 wicket in the latest game, his economical spells have contributed significantly to RCB’s campaign.
RCB’s victory against PBKS came on the back of a brilliant bowling effort, bundling Punjab out for a mere 101. RCB’s top order made light work of the target, finishing the chase with 60 balls to spare – the most dominant playoff win in IPL history in terms of balls remaining.
Sri Lanka’s IPL participation this year has been headlined by Nuwan Thushara, whose breakthrough season is setting the tone for more Lankan stars to shine in the league. His performance is also a testament to the growing impact of Sri Lankan pace bowlers in franchise cricket worldwide.
RCB will now face either Gujarat Titans or Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Final on June 3rd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Thushara is expected to play a key role as RCB aims to secure their maiden IPL title.
As the cricketing world gears up for a blockbuster final, Sri Lankan fans will be cheering on Thushara, hoping he brings IPL glory back to Bengaluru – and pride to Sri Lanka.
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