The Sri Lanka national hockey teams delivered determined performances at the Asian Hockey Federation Cup 2025, held in Jakarta, Indonesia under the auspices of the Asian Hockey Federation. While the men’s team finished in 7th place, the women’s team showed notable improvement by securing 5th place, one step ahead of their 2016 finish.

Men’s Team Recap – A Tough Battle

The Sri Lankan men’s team, placed in Group ‘B’ during the preliminary round, managed only one win – a 2-1 victory against host Indonesia. They held Thailand to a 1-1 draw but suffered defeats against Bangladesh (5-0) and Kazakhstan (3-2), finishing 4th in the group.

In the classification round for 5th–8th place, Sri Lanka lost a tight match against Hong Kong (5-4). However, they bounced back in the playoff for 7th place, defeating Thailand 6-4 in an entertaining and high-scoring encounter. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka could not replicate the success of the previous edition, where they secured a bronze medal.

Women’s Team Recap – A Step Forward

The women’s tournament followed a league format with six teams. Sri Lanka finished with two draws – 2-2 against Indonesia and 2-2 against Uzbekistan – while enduring three losses to Chinese Taipei (5-1), Singapore (5-2), and Hong Kong (5-0).

In the 5th place playoff, Sri Lanka faced Uzbekistan once again. With the game ending 3-3 in regulation time, the outcome was decided via an 8-second penalty shootout, where Sri Lanka emerged victorious 3-1. This result marks an improvement from their 6th-place finish in 2016.

Rising Star Recognized

A standout performer in the women’s team was forward Nipuni Ishara Fernando, who was recognized as a promising young talent in the tournament. Her attacking prowess and energy on the field highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential for future regional success.

Sri Lankan Sports TV extends its congratulations to both national teams for their commitment and performance on the international stage, and looks forward to their continued progress in upcoming competitions.

Sri Lanka Women produced a composed and clinical batting display to chase down South Africa Women’s total of 235 in a strong all-round performance, continuing their rise in international women’s cricket.

Chasing 236 for victory, Sri Lanka began confidently during the powerplay, putting on 47 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the first 10 overs. The opening platform set the tone for a steady and calculated innings, anchored by key partnerships and individual brilliance.

The second-wicket stand between Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama (Perera) added 50 runs in just 54 balls, giving the visitors momentum. By the 14th over, Sri Lanka Women were comfortably placed at 77/1.

The middle order shone as Harshitha Madavi and Kavisha Dilhari took control, both registering half-centuries in a pivotal 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Madavi reached her fifty in 65 balls, while Dilhari followed shortly with a fluent 61-ball half-century that included five boundaries and a six.

By the 41st over, Sri Lanka had crossed the 200-run mark with seven wickets in hand, cruising toward victory. The pair’s calm approach under pressure ensured that South Africa never regained control of the match.

Earlier in the day, South Africa posted 235/9 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to a resilient knock of 61 from Annerie Dercksen and a solid middle-order partnership with Chloe Tryon. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout, especially during the death overs, to restrict the hosts to a chaseable total.

This win not only highlights Sri Lanka’s growing depth and maturity in women’s cricket but also sends a strong signal ahead of future ICC tournaments. With batters like Madavi and Dilhari leading the charge and a disciplined bowling unit to back them, Sri Lanka Women continue to impress on the global stage.

Score Summary:

• South Africa Women: 235/9 (50 overs) – Annerie Dercksen 61, Chloe Tryon 34

• Sri Lanka Women: 236/3 (approx. 41 overs) – Harshitha Madavi 50*, Kavisha Dilhari 50*

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):

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – 14 points
2. Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 13 points
3. Mumbai Indians (MI) – 12 points
4. 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:

1. RCB – Likely top finishers with strong form
2. GT – One game in hand gives a crucial edge
3. MI – Solid NRR and experienced campaigners
4. 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.