Cricket
Virat Kohli’s Ranji Trophy Comeback Faces Disappointment for Fans
New Delhi, January 27, 2025 – Cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting Virat Kohli’s highly anticipated return to domestic red-ball cricket will be disappointed, as no live telecast or streaming has been confirmed for Delhi’s final group-stage Ranji Trophy match against Railways.
The match, set to begin on January 30 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, marks Kohli’s first Ranji Trophy appearance since 2012, when he last played against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. Despite the excitement surrounding his comeback, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to make arrangements for a live broadcast of this marquee domestic fixture.
Excitement in the Delhi Camp
Kohli, who has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers with 80 international centuries, will be a valuable addition to Delhi’s squad, led by Ayush Badoni. His presence is expected to provide crucial exposure and learning opportunities for younger players. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma highlighted how this experience will benefit the squad, noting that apart from Navdeep Saini, none of the current Delhi players have played alongside Kohli in the Ranji Trophy.
Security & Spectator Arrangements
To accommodate the influx of fans, Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) has ramped up security measures and made special arrangements, including opening additional stands at the Ambedkar Stadium End (Gate Nos. 7, 15, and 16). Spectators can enjoy free entry to witness the action, with provisions for clean drinking water and hygienic restrooms.
No Live Broadcast – A Major Letdown for Fans
While the excitement is high, the lack of a confirmed live broadcast remains a disappointment. According to a DDCA official, BCCI’s match broadcasting schedule is finalized months in advance, and Delhi’s fixture was not selected for TV or online streaming. Matches like Mumbai vs J&K, Karnataka vs Haryana, and Bengal vs Punjab have been prioritized for telecast.
Though there is speculation about a last-minute arrangement for live streaming given Kohli’s presence, officials have indicated that such a decision would be challenging due to the logistical demands of a multi-camera production setup.
Delhi’s Squad for the Match
Squad: Ayush Badoni (C), Virat Kohli, Pranav Rajvanshi (WK), Sanat Sangwan, Arpit Rana, Mayank Gusain, Shivam Sharma, Sumit Mathur, Vansh Bedi (WK), Money Grewal, Harsh Tyagi, Siddhant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Yash Dhull, Gagan Vats, Jonty Sidhu, Himmat Singh, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rahul Gehlot, Jitesh Singh.
Final Thoughts
While Kohli’s return to domestic cricket is a historic moment, the lack of live coverage remains a significant letdown for fans eager to watch their favorite star in action. However, spectators in Delhi will have a golden opportunity to witness Kohli’s presence at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Will BCCI reconsider and bring this match to fans worldwide? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates on cricket and other sports!
Cricket
Online Abuse Targets Sri Lanka A Cricketer After Match Incident
Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage has reportedly become the latest victim of online harassment after a match-related confrontation with India A batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi sparked widespread discussion on social media.
The incident occurred during Sri Lanka A’s dramatic Super Over triumph over India A in the Tri-Nation Series on Monday. Footage showing a tense exchange between the two young cricketers quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing significant attention from cricket fans.
Following the match, Halambage’s Instagram account was flooded with critical and abusive messages, with many comments reportedly originating from social media users reacting to the on-field altercation. Unverified reports also suggested that individuals connected to the player were subjected to online harassment.
By Tuesday, Halambage’s Instagram profile appeared to be inaccessible. While some reports indicated that the account may have been blocked or restricted after receiving numerous complaints, the exact reason remains unclear. Neither the player nor Instagram has publicly commented on the matter.
The episode has once again brought attention to the growing issue of online abuse in sport, where athletes particularly younger players can face intense backlash following high-profile incidents. Sports analysts and observers have repeatedly called for greater efforts to curb harassment on digital platforms and promote responsible fan engagement.
The match itself ended in a memorable victory for Sri Lanka A, but the events that followed have shifted attention toward the challenges athletes face beyond the boundary ropes.
Cricket
Sri Lanka A prevail in Super Over thriller as tempers flare after dramatic finish
Sri Lanka A held their nerve to defeat India A in a thrilling Super Over contest in the One-Day Tri-Series in Dambulla, but the dramatic finish was overshadowed by a heated post-match confrontation involving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vishen Halambage.
After both teams finished level on 265, Sri Lanka A posted 16 runs in the Super Over through aggressive contributions from Avishka Fernando and captain Sahan Arachchige. India A, chasing 17, were restricted to just nine runs as young pacer Kugathas Mathulan delivered under pressure to seal a memorable victory.
The match had already produced plenty of late drama. India A’s Arshad Khan conceded only four runs in the final over of Sri Lanka’s chase when five were required for victory, forcing the contest into a Super Over as fading light added to the tension. Despite concerns over visibility and a scheduled cut-off time, officials allowed play to continue.
Emotions spilled over moments after the Super Over ended. Visuals showed Sri Lanka’s Vishen Halambage and Wanuja Sahan exchanging words with the departing Indian batters. Suryansh Shedge appeared to point his bat towards Halambage before Sooryavanshi turned back and confronted the Sri Lankan player. The exchange quickly escalated, with the two players shoving each other before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to separate them and calm tempers.
Earlier, India A recovered from 125 for 6 thanks to Suryansh Shedge’s 72 and Vipraj Nigam’s 51 to post 265. Sri Lanka A’s chase was anchored by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s superb 93, which kept them in contention before a dramatic final-over finish and eventual Super Over triumph completed a remarkable contest.
Cricket
West Indies edge Sri Lanka to clinch series
West Indies held their nerve in a tense chase to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final T20I and seal the series at home on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 169 all out in their allotted 20 overs after several batsmen made useful contributions. Opener Pathum Nissanka provided an early spark with 26 off 17 balls, while Kamil Mishara added 28 and Kamindu Mendis struck 20.
The innings was anchored by all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, whose aggressive 43 from 28 deliveries, featuring six boundaries and a six, lifted Sri Lanka during the closing stages. Wanindu Hasaranga also chipped in with a brisk 21 off 13 balls.
However, Sri Lanka lost wickets at crucial intervals and were unable to fully capitalize on a promising platform. Fast bowler Shamar Joseph starred for the hosts, claiming 5 for 33 in a match-winning spell. He received solid support from Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase, who shared the remaining wickets.
Chasing 170, West Indies suffered an early setback when captain Shai Hope fell for a duck. Sri Lanka tightened their grip further by reducing the hosts to 53 for 4, with Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana applying pressure through the middle overs.
Shimron Hetmyer counterattacked with 32 off 19 balls before Rovman Powell contributed a valuable 33. The decisive partnership came through Sherfane Rutherford and Holder.
Rutherford remained unbeaten on 54 from 40 deliveries, striking three fours and four sixes, while Holder blasted an unbeaten 21 from just five balls, including three towering sixes.
West Indies reached 170 for 5 with two balls to spare, completing a memorable victory and securing the series after a hard-fought contest between the two sides.
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