Sports
Have to take the team forward from where Virat’s left it: Rohit
India captain Rohit Sharma has credited his predecessor, Virat Kohli, for the success of the Test team in recent times and believes that the side hasn’t done “anything wrong in the last two-three years”. He’s looking forward to the challenges of Test captaincy and wants to pick up the threads from where Kohli left it.
“As a Test team at the moment, we stand in a very good position. If you look at the last five years of our Test cricket, the whole credit goes to Virat himself to get us going in this particular format,” Rohit said ahead of India’s opening Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali.
“You know what he’s done with the Test team over the years was brilliant to see. For me, I have to honestly just take it from where he’s left. The team stands in a very good position. Of course, we are somewhere midway in the World Test Championship table, but honestly, I don’t see that we’ve done anything wrong in the last two or three years of Test cricket. Of course, we want to improve as a team, every game that we play, and that is always going to be the benchmark that we’re going to set for ourselves moving forward. We’re looking forward to correct all our mistakes that we made in the past. No team I believe is perfect. You always try and improve every game. So that will be the sole purpose of us moving forward in the right direction.”
This will be Rohit’s first match as India Test captain and as excited as he is for this new challenge, he’s hoping to do right by the players and ensure that the team is focused on the present and not looking too far ahead.
“Honestly, I’m looking forward to just win games as much as possible and do the right things with the right players in the squad. That is the whole point,” Rohit said. “It’s a completely different ballgame – limited-overs and Test cricket. But my philosophy of captaincy will remain the same. I wouldn’t go away from that. And that is just staying in the present, understanding the situation that the team is in and what is the right call to make at that particular time. I’ll be thinking about all those things. It’s five-day cricket, so obviously things will change every day. So you have to do a lot of analyzing about how the first day went, what you need to do on day two, day three, and thereon. So I think a lot of things depend on how we react to a particular situation and then whatever planning or whatever strategy that we need to create, we will create that. That has been my philosophy, not to think too far ahead.
“It’s important to stay and think one thing at a time and not go too far ahead. Like we all know, it’s a different format, Test cricket and limited-overs. So there is no comparison there. It will be a challenge of course, it’s the first time I’m leading in red-ball cricket for India. I’ve captained a few games in Ranji Trophy but again, a whole lot of different challenge it is when you’re captaining the test team. But it’s something I’m really looking forward to. it’s going to be very exciting. And I really can’t wait.”
India are also in a tight spot in the WTC points table and have an uphill task at hand if they are to make the finals for the second time in a row.
“It’s gonna be a challenging one, no doubt about that. it’s going to be important that those nine Test matches that we’re going to play, I feel like we have to win almost every game. There will be a lot of pressure. But I think that is where you know you will build a lot of character as a team. You will see some of the champion cricketers coming out from these situations and that’s my belief; you thrive under pressure and you turn out to be a solid cricketer for the future.”
Rohit also spoke about the void left by Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, both of whom have been dropped for his series, and was excited to see how the likes of Hanuma Vihari, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill fare. Rohit said that these players have been “waiting for a while” and he is looking forward to giving these guys a long run.
“Mayank, Shubman, Vihari, all these guys are brilliant. They are the future of Indian cricket. You know, and I think they need to be given a solid run for them to excel in this particular format. It’s important for us to do that and it will start from the management to show enough support, enough backing.
“Wherever there are changes in the squad, it’s always a fresh start for the guys who are coming in and it’s never easy. But those guys who are going to replace these two guys, Pujara and Rahane, have done exceedingly well whenever they’ve gotten an opportunity, whether it’s first-class cricket back home, or the India A tours or the limited opportunities that they’ve got playing Test cricket. I think we need to just back these guys to come good for us. You know, at times, you always need to look forward and I think those guys have been waiting for a while now. So hopefully, if they get an opportunity, they can turn things around for us. And it’s just not about one or two games but I’m looking at a number of years for them playing for India and doing well for us.”
Glad that the crowds have been allowed for the Test, which will also be Kohli’s 100th, Rohit harked back to his most favourite memories of his colleague.
“As a team, my favourite memory is the series which we won in Australia in 2018. It was a great series and Virat was the captain,” Rohit reminisced. “As an individual, my best memory of him is his Test hundred in South Africa in 2013. The pitch we were playing on was very challenging, it had a lot of bounce and a lot of us were playing a Test in South Africa for the first time. To then face Steyn, Morkel, Philander and Kallis… it was never going to be easy but the way Virat batted in that match, scoring hundred in the first innings and 90 odd in the second, was sensational. It was one of his best knocks. He had made a hundred in Perth in 2018 too but I think the one in South Africa beats that.”
Daniel Munoz has fired Colombia into the World Cup round of 32 with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of frustration.
Munoz struck the winner from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute on Tuesday, finally beating Mpasi, who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.
Colombia, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created numerous chances.
James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpasi into action with a powerful strike in the 11th minute.
The goalkeeper stood firm, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a chipped pass inside the penalty area, turning smartly, and firing a shot goal-wards, only for Mpasi to save it with his foot.
The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 deaw with Portugal, threatened sporadically through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, but lacked a clinical finish.
By half-time, Colombia had registered 15 shots, including six on target, with nine of their 10 outfield players attempting efforts.
In the stands, DR Congo had support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.
Colombia resumed on the front foot after the break, with Diaz forcing another fine save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged the rebound wide.
Wissa almost snatched the lead for DR Congo in the 73rd minute, when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck shortly after through Munoz.
Diaz later thought he had doubled the advantage with a finish into the top corner, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Colombia moved to six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.
DR Congo remained on one point and will need a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.
[Aljazeera]
Sri Lanka’s small but highly successful contingent returned with an impressive haul of three medals from the Malaysian Open Athletics Championship, which concluded on Sunday, and all three athletes representing the country finished on the podium.
Leading the way was high jumper Tharindu Dasun, who produced a personal best performance to claim the gold medal in the men’s high jump. The 26-year-old cleared 2.22 metres, surpassing his previous personal best and securing top place in the competition. The achievement marks another significant milestone for the jumper in an important year inclusive of several international competitions.
Tharindu Dasun reached his personal best in the high jump.
Middle-distance runner Harsha Karunaratne added a second gold medal for Sri Lanka with a strong performance in the men’s 800 metres. Karunaratne crossed the finish line in 1 minute and 50.61 seconds to secure first place and underline his consistency in the event.
Meanwhile, hurdler Roshan Ranatunga contributed the third medal by finishing second in the men’s 110 metres hurdles. Ranatunga clocked 14.19 seconds to earn the silver medal and complete a perfect medal-winning campaign for the Sri Lankan team.
With only three athletes competing, Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable 100 percent medal success, collecting two gold medals and one silver medal from the championship.
Roshan Ranatunga settled for silver in the 110 metres hurdles.
The team was accompanied by Thiron Gamage, the coach of Ranatunga, who served as the team manager and coach during the tour.
”It is important that athletes compete in events like these as better conditions help them improve, Gamage told The Island.
”The preperation of the athletes and their coaches helped them do well.
Harsha Karunaratne won the men’s 800 metres gold.
”Dasun used the conditions well to reach his pb. Harsha did not have much competition for him to push for a better timing as he won easily,” said Gamage.
Commenting on his own athlete Roshan, he said that the hurdler will improve during the season as he is getting back to competition after recovering from an injury.
Sri Lanka team with coach Thiron Gamage (left).
The outstanding performances in Malaysia provide a timely boost for Sri Lankan athletics ahead of several major international assignments. Sri Lanka Athletics will now turn their attention to crucial upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, where Sri Lanka will be looking to build on the momentum generated by successful campaigns such as these.
Dasun’s personal-best clearance of 2.22 metres stood out as the highlight of the championship for Sri Lanka. (RF)
Sports
HNB Assurance, Hayleys Group ‘B’, Maliban Biscuits and Power Hand Plantations undefeated as league stage concludes
CDB –MCA T10 CRICKET TOURNAMENT 2026 [TIER B]
HNB Assurance, Hayleys Group ‘B’, Maliban Biscuits and Power Hand Plantations topped their respective groups as the league stage of the CDB sponsored MCA T10 Cricket Tournament was concluded on Sunday.
On Sunday, English Tea Shop, Camera LK, Hayleys ‘B’ and Power Hand Plantations registered two wins each while HNB Assurance, Maliban Biscuits and Peoples Leasing registered a win each. The game between Stafford Motors and South Asian Technologies ended in a tie.
At the Mercantile Cricket Association ground, English Tea Shop defeated Akbar Brothers by 22 runs and Heshan Flex by 41 runs to clinch second spot in Group A of the tournament while HNB Assurance beat Heshan Flex to lead the group undefeated. Maliban Biscuits beat Seylan Bank to emerge undefeated leaders of Group ‘C’.
At the Ananda College grounds, both Hayleys ‘B’ and Camera LK registered two wins each over David Peiris ‘B’ and Siyapatha Finance to take first and second spots of Group ‘B’ respectively.
In the Group ‘ D’ games played at the Nalanda College grounds, Power Hand Plantations defeated both South Asian Technologies and Peoples Leasing to lead the group undefeated while Peoples Leasing defeated Stafford Motors to clinch second spot. The game between South Asian Technologies and Stafford Motors ended in a thrilling tie.
At the MCA grounds:
English Tea Shop won by 22 runs
English Tea Shop 102/5 in 10 overs
[Nuwan Wijesinghe 14, Ramesh Fernando 42, Lahiru Gamage 20, Gaveen Gunarathna 10*; Roshen Perera 2-20, Chinthaka Shriyantha 1-18]
Akbar Brothers Group 80/6 in 10 overs
[Chathura Devinda 20, Sahan Sankalpa 23, Pasindu Botheju 15, Tharanga Kumara 11; Oshanda Wickremesinghe 1-08, Gaveen Gunarthne 2-22, Lahiru Gamage 1-10, Ramesh Fernando 1-14]
Pasindu, Taariq power HNB Assurance to an 83 run win
HNB Assurance 164/3 in 10 overs
[Lahiru Sithpriya 21, Dasun Abeywardena 13, Pasindu Pathum 84*, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 10, Chamod Piyumal 29*; Nuwan Hettiarachchi 2-24, Akila Madushanka 1-15]
Heshan Flex 81/8 in 10 overs
[Akila Madushanka 17, Chamath Hirantha 12, Asitha Nilanga 25*; Taariq Naziar 4-07, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 2-16, Milinda Sanjaya 1-24, Lahiru Sithpriya 1-03]
English Tea Shop beat Heshan Flex by 41runs
English Tea Shop 93/8 in10 overs
[Nuwan Wijesinghe 41, Oshadha Wickramasinghe 22; Akila Madushanka 2-21, Shamala Asokan 1-13, Rasika Chandana 4-11]
Heshan Flex 52/10 in 8.4 overs
[Sapumal Senanayake 22; Oshadha Wickramasinghe 2-18, Gaveen Gunarathne 3-05, Semila Liyanage 3-18, Gihan Madushanka 2-08]
Maliban Biscuits beat Seylan Bank by 39 runs
Maliban Biscuits 113/7 in 10 overs
[Mohomad Shilmi 32, Chathuranga Dewapriya 45; Chanuka Santhush 1-22, Nimesh Jayamaha 1-17, Nishane Fernando 2-17, Shehan Deen 2-28]
Seylan Bank 74/6 in 10 overs
[Nethum Basnayake 22, Chanuka Santhush 11, Nimesh Jayamaha 11; Chamara Rathnayake 2-14, Chathuranga Dewapriya 3-06]
At the Ananda College grounds
Anjana stars as CameraLK beat David Peiris Group by 18 runs
CameraLK 123/5 in 10 overs [Anjana Orton 66*, Asitha Chamara 39; Maleesha Sankalpa 2-23, Amila Jayawardena 1-16, Kasun Chathurapriya 1-30]
David Peiris Group ‘B’ 105/5 in 10 overs
[Vihanga Jayanama 32, Amila Jayawardena 48*; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-10, Anjana Orton 3-20, Kaveesh Sathsara 1-29]
Hayleys ‘B’ beat Siyapatha Finance by 9 wickets
Siyapatha Finance 76/5 in 10 overs
[Gayath Menis 22, Kaveen Bandara 28; Sanuja Niduwara 2-18, Daham Nirmal 1-16, Senal de Silva 1-03, Yasiru Jasinghe 1-16]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 80/1 in 7 overs
[Yuthika Silva 53*, Lahiru Dawatage 13; Nimesh Lakmal 1-08]
Hayleys ‘B’ beat David Peiris by 8 wickets in 3 over game
David Peiris Group ‘B’ 33/0 in 3 overs
[Vihanga Jayanama 15*, Amila Jayawardena 15*]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 34/2 in 2.4 overs
[Lahiru Dawatage 28*; Amila Jayawardena 1-16]
Camera LK beat Siyapatha Finance by 2 wickets
Siyapatha Finance 88/8 in 10 overs [Gayath Mendis 25, Kaveen Bandara 34, Niroshan Dihan 15; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-23, Ranmira Fernando 1-17, Kasun Madushanka 2-13, Kaveesh Sathsara 3-11]
Camera LK 89/8 in 9.2 overs
[Theekshana Maduwantha 13, Kasun Madushanka 15, Anushka Gunasinghe 13, Asitha Chamara 16; Chamith Kularathne 1-07, Nimesh Lakmal 1-07, Kaveen Bandara 3-25, Malith Pathirana 2-08]
At the Nalanda College grounds:
Ruwin and Waruna star in Power Hand Plantations’ nine wicket win
South Asian Technologies 57/10 in 9.5 overs
[Suviru Sathminda 13, Lasantha Kamalal 14, Maoshada Fernando 15; Tharindu Silva 2-10, Waruna Mayantha 1-12, Hirusha Dulanja 2-22, Ruwin Sankalpa 4-06]
Power Hand Plantations 61/1in 6 overs
[Waruna Mayantha 40*, Kasun Vidura 18; Dilshan Maduwantha 1-16]
Peoples Leasing beat Stafford Motors by 32 runs on DLS
Peoples Leasing 85/6 in 10 overs
[Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 21, Chathura Anuradha 28, Ashen Kavinda 21; Sanjaya Fernando 2-12, Asanka Kumarage 1-27, Sanjeewa Vishan 1-07]
Stafford Motors 44/6 in 9 overs
[Gajidu Yasas 11, Sajeewa Vishen 13; Isuru Gunasekera 1-06, SanathDasanayaka 1-13, Nadun Kulathilake 2-05, Arjuna Perera 2-05]
Power Hand Plantations by 29 runs
Power Hand Plantations 113/6 in 10 overs
[Kasun Viduea 12, Thisura Udara 25, Hirusha Dulanja 21*, Pulasthi Athapaththu 32; Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 3-17, Arjuna Perera 1-14, Isuru Gunasekera 2-16]
Peoples Leasing PLC 84/4 in 10 overs
[Isuru Gunasekera 15, Chamila Bandara 13, Chathura Anuradha 17, Esitha Gimhana 14, Ashen Kavinda 14*; Dhanushka Ranasinghe 1-17, Tharindu Silva 1-21, Ruwin Sankalpa 1-05, Waruna Mayantha 1-17]
Stafford Motors vs South Asian Technologies SC tied
Stafford Motors 103/5 in 10 overs
[Gajindu Yasas 53, Sanjaya Fernando 14, Sajeewa Vishan 23*; Dilshan Maduwantha 1-19, Maoshada Fernando 2-19, Chamod Rathnayake 1-23]
South Asian Technologies SC 103/6 in 10 overs
[Lasantha Kamalal 24, Maneendeera Jayathilake 20, Dilshan Maduwantha 10, Risith Ishara 18; Shanaka Sampath 3-21, Janith Maduwantha 1-19, Asanka Kumarage 1-14, Sanjaya Fernando 1-16]
Munoz sends Colombia into World Cup knockouts with 1-0 win over DR Congo
Animal Welfare Draft Bill to be Gazetted
Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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