New Delhi, India – January 2025: The Indian cricket team’s selection process for the Champions Trophy 2025 has reportedly sparked a major debate between head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. According to sources, differences arose over two key decisions, leading to an extended meeting with chief selector Ajit Agarkar before finalizing the squad.

Vice-Captaincy Dispute

One of the biggest points of contention was the vice-captaincy role. Gambhir was keen on appointing Hardik Pandya, but Rohit and Agarkar backed Shubman Gill for the leadership position. Ultimately, the selectors went with Gill as the official deputy for the marquee tournament.

Wicket-Keeper Debate

Another crucial discussion centered around the wicket-keeping position. Gambhir reportedly favored Sanju Samson for the squad, believing his aggressive batting and adaptability would be an asset. However, Rishabh Pant received the final nod due to Rohit and Agarkar’s backing, securing his place as India’s primary wicketkeeper-batsman for the Champions Trophy.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Fitness Concern

In a separate development, fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains uncertain for India’s upcoming ODI series against England, set to begin on February 6, 2025. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Bumrah was advised a five-week recovery period following a back spasm sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

While Bumrah has been named in the Champions Trophy squad, the BCCI medical team will assess his condition in early February before making a final call. In the meantime, Harshit Rana has been brought in as a standby replacement for the England ODIs.

Champions Trophy Squad Finalization

The final squad submission deadline for the Champions Trophy is February 11, 2025, just days after India’s three-match ODI series against England on February 6, 9, and 12. The tournament itself is set to kick off on February 19, 2025.

What’s Next?

As India gears up for their first 50-over assignments since their tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024, all eyes will be on their performance against England and any last-minute squad adjustments for the Champions Trophy.

Stay updated with Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest cricket news and analysis.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – January 14, 2025

Sri Lanka’s U19 Women’s team made a resounding start to their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding 139-run victory over hosts Malaysia at Bayuemas Oval on Sunday.

The match marked a historic moment for Malaysia as they made their debut in the tournament. However, Sri Lanka showcased their superiority in all departments to secure an emphatic win.

Sri Lanka’s Power-Packed Batting Performance

Having been put into bat, Sri Lanka’s top order delivered an explosive performance. Dahami Sanethma led the charge with a brilliant 55 off 38 balls, becoming the first player to register a half-century in the tournament. Sajana Kavindi set the tone early, smashing 30 runs off just 13 balls, including six boundaries.

Sri Lanka’s innings saw strong contributions from Sumudu Nisansala and Hiruni Kumari, who built crucial partnerships to set up a formidable total of 162/6 in 20 overs.

Chamudi Praboda’s Bowling Masterclass

Malaysia’s response was met with a relentless Sri Lankan bowling attack, led by Chamudi Praboda, who delivered a match-winning spell of 3 wickets for just 5 runs, including two maidens. Limansa Thilakaratne also played a key role, picking up 2 wickets for 3 runs.

Malaysia’s Nur Aliya managed to score 7 runs, becoming the first-ever Malaysian batter to register a run in the U19 World Cup. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and Malaysia was eventually bowled out for just 23 runs in 14 overs.

Historic Win Sets the Tone for Sri Lanka

With this dominant performance, Sri Lanka has sent a strong message to the rest of the teams in the tournament. Their all-round display of aggressive batting, sharp fielding, and disciplined bowling positions them as strong contenders moving forward.

Match Summary:

📍 Sri Lanka vs Malaysia – Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur

Sri Lanka: 162/6 in 20 overs (Dahami Sanethma 55, Sajana Kavindi 30; Siti Nazwah 2/31, Nur Isma Dania 1/23)
Malaysia: 23 all out in 14 overs (Nur Aliya 7, Suabika Manivannan 6; Chamudi Praboda 3/5, Limansa Thilakaratne 2/3)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 139 runs

What’s Next?

Sri Lanka will now look to build on this winning momentum in their upcoming matches as they aim for a deep run in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV!

Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 18, 2025: The latest ICC Test Team Rankings have been released, with Sri Lanka securing the 5th position, showcasing their resilience in the longest format of the game. Despite a challenging year, the Lankan Lions have maintained their competitive edge among cricket’s elite nations.

Current ICC Test Rankings (As of January 2025)

1️⃣ South Africa – 12 matches | Win %: 69.44
2️⃣ Australia – 17 matches | Win %: 63.73
3️⃣ India – 19 matches | Win %: 50.00
4️⃣ New Zealand – 14 matches | Win %: 48.21
5️⃣ Sri Lanka – 11 matches | Win %: 45.45
6️⃣ England – 22 matches | Win %: 43.18
7️⃣ Bangladesh – 12 matches | Win %: 31.25
8️⃣ Pakistan – 12 matches | Win %: 24.31
9️⃣ West Indies – 11 matches | Win %: 24.24

Sri Lanka’s Performance in 2024-2025

With 5 wins out of 11 matches, Sri Lanka has demonstrated strong performances in key series, particularly at home. However, close defeats have impacted their standing in the rankings. The team’s recent form indicates a determined squad under experienced leadership, aiming to break into the top four.

Upcoming Test Series for Sri Lanka

🔹 Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – February 2025
🔹 Sri Lanka vs England – April 2025
🔹 Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – July 2025

With crucial matches ahead, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to climb higher in the rankings if they secure significant wins. The cricketing nation eagerly anticipates stronger performances in the coming months.