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India look to cap off successful year with clean sweep over Sri Lanka

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4 months ago

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India have been dominant through the series despite some sloppy fielding [BCCI]

After three low scores, three tosses lost and three heavy defeats, Sri Lanka gave hosts India more of a fight in the fourth T20I on Sunday when they finally got to chase a target instead of setting one. They got somewhat close thanks to contribution from batters apart from Chamari Athapaththu. With their confidence running a little higher, they would want to sign off fromthis five match tour with one win as the preparations for the T20 World Cup, which is less than six months away, heat up.

India have been clinical all through the series – with their share of luck, having won the first three tosses – in restricting Sri Lanka to totals under 130 and getting home with at least five overs and seven wickets in hand. That presents Sri Lanka the opportunity to test India’s middle and lower order on Tuesday, but with the gargantuan task of going past the duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who put up India’s biggest partnership for any wicket to set up the hosts’ highest T20I total. India have had to use only five batters in this series so far.

Whether they set a total or chase one, Sri Lanka would draw inspiration from Hasini Perera’s start on Sunday, in which she took down Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy in the opening overs before Nilakshika Silva finally got some runs in the lower order.

Sri Lanka would also want to cash in on any lives their batters are offered as India have been sloppy this series – putting down five catches in the opener and two in the fourth game – which could help the visitors narrow the gap between the two sides.

There are always expectations from Athapaththu when Sri Lanka bat, and it was refreshing to see Hasini Perera take the lead in the opening partnership with her captain on Sunday. It was Perera’s penchant for boundaries that charged Sri Lanka to 52 for 0 in the first four overs. Hasini has played nearly 90 T20Is and the last game of the series will be the perfect chance for her to score her maiden T20I half-century that will only increase the faith in her abilities in the lead up to the T20 World Cup.

She has been dismissed just twice this series and Shafali Verma is reaching scary heights in the T20 format with 236 runs already at a strike rate of 185.82 this series. The next best strike rate this series (minimum 50 runs) is Jemimah Rodrigues’ 140.54. Shafali has taken down every possible bowling combination Sri Lanka have thrown at her at the start and with three half-centuries in a row, a continuation of her boundary barrage could be another spectacular show from the India opener.

Rodrigues missed the fourth T20I while recovering from a mild fever and India brought in Harleen Deol for her first game of the series but she didn’t get a chance to bat. Already leading 4-0, India may also want to hand a debut to 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, the only player in the squad who hasn’t played this series.

India (possible):  Smriti Mandhana,  Shafali Verma,  Jemimah Rodrigues/Harleen Deol,  Harmanpreet Kaur (capt),  Richa Ghosh/G Kamalini (wk),  Deepti Sharma,  Amanjot Kaur,  Renuka Singh/Arundhati Reddy,  Kranti Gaud,  Vaishnavi Sharma,  Shree Charani

Sri Lanka have been making changes through the series too, and even though they have used up all their players from the squad of 15, don’t rule out any more changes on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka (possible):  Chamari Athapaththu (capt),  Hasini Perera,  Harshitha Samarawickrama,  Imesha Dulani,  Nilakshika Silva,  Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk),  Kavisha Dilhari,  Kawya Kavindi/Malki Madara,  Inoka Ranaweera,  Malsha Shehani,  Nimasha Meepage

[Cricinfo]


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Warm welcome extended to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Presidential Secretariat

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9 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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The official welcoming ceremony for the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam,  To Lam, who is on a State visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was held this morning (08th May 2026) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Dissanayake.

President To Lam is undertaking this State visit with the aim of further strengthening the economic, cultural and social ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat, escorted by the Police Mounted Division, President To Lam was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Following the playing of the national anthems of both countries, the official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam formally commenced.

On the occasion, President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial gun salute with full State honours.

Thereafter, President To Lam and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour, following which the Vietnamese and Sri Lankan delegations were introduced.

The two leaders also posed for official photographs.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka at the occasion were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology Professor Krishantha Abeysena, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Environment Dr Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Ranaraja, along with a number of senior officials from both countries.

(PMD)

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BCCI to conduct surprise checks on IPL teams over compliance of guidelines

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9 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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The BCCI has said it will conduct periodic checks on the IPL teams to assess the adherence of the new set of guidelines [BCCI]
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said it will conduct periodic checks on the IPL teams to assess the adherence of the new set of guidelines issued to the team on Thursday evening. The surprise checks will be undertaken by BCCI/IPL operation teams.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, in his communication to the franchises, has noted that, “The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this Advisory. Team Managers are required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements.

“Any breach of the aforementioned directives must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. The BCCI trusts that all IPL franchises will treat this Advisory with the seriousness it warrants and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League.”

Consequences of non-compliance

Saikia has also warned teams about the consequences of non-compliance with the guidelines, stating that any violations will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter, while also outlining the possible action that could be taken against those found breaching the code.

Saikia wrote: “The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council wish to make unequivocally clear that any breach of the directives set out in this Advisory shall be treated as a serious disciplinary matter. Non-compliance shall expose the relevant IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the applicable provisions of the IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules & Regulations, and other applicable statutes, as the circumstances may warrant.

“Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the following consequences may be imposed at the sole discretion of the BCCI / IPL Governing Council:

1. Show-Cause Notice:Issuance of a formal show-cause notice to the Franchise and/or the individual concerned.

2. Financial Penalties:Imposition of financial penalties on the Franchise or individual, as prescribed under the IPL Regulations.

3. Suspension or disqualification: Suspension or disqualification of the player, support staff member, or team official from the ongoing or subsequent IPL season(s).

4. For Legal Violations: In cases involving legal violations, including use of prohibited substances, breach of security protocol, or conduct amounting to harassment, referral of the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

5. Other Action: Any other action as the BCCI / IPL Governing Council may deem appropriate in the interest of the tournament and the sport.

“Franchises are strongly advised to take cognisance of this Advisory and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance. The BCCI reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ascertain adherence to these directives,” the Saikia’s signed seven-page note said.

 

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President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam arrives in Sri Lanka on State Visit

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13 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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President To Lam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,  General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of 209 members arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (07) night on a state visit.

 

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