Sports
Pune where one of cricket’s biggest upsets unfolded
Rex Clementine
in Pune
Pune will host the second T-20 International between Sri Lanka and India and this city is famous for witnessing one of cricket’s biggest upsets. Two time World Champions West Indies were humbled by Kenya as Maurice Odumbe became the cynosure of all eyes during the 1996 World Cup.
That was the old ground in Pune though, known as Nehru Stadium in the heart of the city. Sri Lanka will be playing at the new ground known as Maharashtra State Association Stadium. The distance between the old ground and the new ground is like between Pallekele and Asgiriya.
Maharashtra is one of the 36 states in India. But it has three teams in First Class cricket because geographically the state is large and there’s too many cricketing talents. Bombay is one of the First Class teams from the state while Pune is the base for the Maharashtra team. There is also a team called Vidarbha who are based in Nagpur.
Pune has had some tough times in recent years. The authorities here in order to build the new stadium struck a deal with Indian company Sahara whereby they would get US$ three million and the naming rights of the stadium will be given to Sahara. The stadium was even initially known as Subrata Roy Stadium, after the founder of Sahara. Then the business tycoon got into trouble for defaulting payment and went to jail. Only 40 percent of the money that was promised to Pune cricket ground was paid and cricket here faced a crisis unable to pay bank loans. Even to date if BCCI transfers money for hosting cricket matches, it goes directly for settling the loan instead of being used on development of the game.
Despite the financial crisis, cricket in Pune has thrived. Maharashtra reached the final of Vijay Hazare Trophy, the one-day equivalent of Ranji Trophy for the first time last year. The current Indian team has two Pune based players in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi.
Pune is a three hour pleasant drive from Bombay. The Sri Lankan team travelled here yesterday by road. Bombay was a good experience for them with not many people giving them a chance. It is the middle order that has been a worry and while the middle order came good, the top order failed to fire in the first game.
The Sri Lankans would have had some time to dine in a few restaurants while in Bombay and if they had asked the locals one of the places that would have been recommended is The All-Rounder. It’s a restaurant inside the Cricket Club of India also known Brabourne Stadium.
A short walk from the Wankhede Stadium where the first T-20 was played, Cricket Club of India hosted the Sri Lankan Test match in 2019.
The All-Rounder offers some fine food options. There is also another Restaurant at the same premises called the Wet Wicket. That is where you would see reporters spending their time after a day’s play.
The All-Rounder has paintings of the five finest all-rounders to play the game; Sir Garry Sobers, Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Jacques Kallis. If you are curious about the surrounding you will notice that one portrait has been removed as the vacant area clearly shows. Make a guess whose painting it would be?
In 2019, in Kashmir, a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian policemen came under a suicide attack and 40 cops were killed. The attack was carried out by a Pakistan based terrorist group. The incident is known as Pulwama attack and the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time was a certain Imran Khan.
So the missing picture is of the great man. Not everyone in Bombay or India condone the actions of the Cricket Club of India. Of course you should not mix sports and politics. But more than that, is it not India that taught us good virtues like tolerance?
Sri Lanka’s share of the T20 World Cup will go ahead without disruption despite a recent cyclone and severe flooding that left large parts of the country battered and bruised.
Tournament organisers confirmed that matches scheduled in the island nation will proceed as planned, with Sri Lanka co-hosting the sport’s showpiece event alongside India. Three venues in Sri Lanka will stage games during the competition.
Sri Lanka is set to host 20 of the 55 matches in the tournament. Should Pakistan advance deep into the competition, the island will also stage a semi-final and the final, as Pakistan are unable to travel to India due to long-standing political tensions between the neighbours.
On November 27, cyclonic storm Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka and several other South-East Asian countries, bringing daily life to a grinding halt. Flooding and landslides claimed at least 634 lives, with more than 200 deaths reported in the central city of Kandy.
A recent inspection of facilities in Kandy, however, allayed fears, with authorities giving the ground the all-clear after confirming that damage was minimal.
“We are happy with the progress we have made and it is going to be a superb event,” an official involved in inspecting the Pallekele Stadium told Telecom Asia Sport. “Sri Lanka has hosted ICC events before with great success and we have no doubt this tournament will be another feather in our cap. Kandy has been cleared, as have the other two venues.”
Work is also nearing completion at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground, where floodlights are being installed ahead of five scheduled matches. The capital’s R. Premadasa Stadium will host the bulk of the fixtures, including the blockbuster India–Pakistan clash on February 15.
“There has been huge demand for tickets for the India–Pakistan game,” the official said. “We expect a surge of tourists into Colombo around that fixture, which will provide a significant boost to the economy. Travel companies have already rolled out special packages and we anticipate full houses for several marquee games. India–Pakistan is the main attraction, no doubt, but matches like Sri Lanka versus Australia are also keenly awaited.”
Sri Lanka recently staged several Women’s World Cup matches, some of which were affected by rain. Organisers, however, are confident the weather will stay out of the contest this time, with February and March traditionally dry months in both Colombo and Kandy. (www.telecomasia.net)
Maliban Biscuits has announced a partnership with rising motorsport talent Yevan David, as he prepares to compete on the international stage in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship.
At just 18, Yevan has emerged as one of Asia’s fastest-rising drivers, competing across some of Europe’s toughest circuits and creating history as the first Sri Lankan to race in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. This partnership brings together a young athlete redefining what’s possible for Sri Lanka in global motorsport and a homegrown brand that has consistently backed Sri Lankan ambition on the field, on the track, and beyond.
Yevan’s racing story began in go-karts, starting with early laps at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit before moving into competitive karting in Singapore, where he quickly started stacking international results, including winning the IAME Asia Series (X30 Cadet) and the X30 Asia Cup. After graduating from karts, he stepped into single-seaters in 2024 across UAE F4, Spanish F4 and Eurocup-3, then announced himself in Europe by winning twice on his Euroformula Open debut weekend at Monza. In 2025, he underlined that momentum by taking the Euroformula Open Rookie title and finishing second overall, cementing his status as one of the most compelling young talents to emerge from Sri Lanka onto the global grid.
Commenting on the partnership, Yevan David said:
“Partnering with Maliban means a lot to me. They’ve supported Sri Lankan sport for generations, so having them beside me as I take this next step feels special. I’m proud to carry our flag forward with a brand that believes in our country’s potential as much as I do.”
Over the years, the brand has stood firmly behind Sri Lanka’s sporting journey across every level of competition, supporting the New Zealand U85kg Rugby Tour of Sri Lanka on the international stage, strengthening hockey at school level, backing the Sri Lanka U19 Women’s Cricket Team, supporting the U20 Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, championing Sri Lanka Rugby at the Asia Rugby Qualifiers and powering the Inter Club Rugby League and Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025/2026. This continued investment reflects a long-term commitment to building opportunity, confidence, and national pride through sport.
With Maliban’s support, Yevan’s journey to the FIA Formula 3 grid becomes more than an individual milestone, it becomes a national statement of belief and progress. Together, Maliban and Yevan will carry Sri Lanka’s flag into every corner, every lap, and every finish line he chases in 2026.
Lumbini were strongly placed after Nikil Abilash and Kisandu Dulneth put on a first wicket stand of 128 runs in reply to Isipatana’s 190, but a sudden collapse saw them end day one at 144 for five wickets in the Under 19 traditional encounter at Colts ground.
At Campbell Park, spinner Chaniru Senarathne produced figures 22-3-55-5 for Trinity in the traditional encounter against Wesley.
In an Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket enountet at Bambalapitiya Savi Fernando and Asadisa de Silva put on an unbeaten 90 runs stand for the second wicket to help St. Peter’s reach 93 for one wicket at stumps in reply to DS Senanayake’s 241 on day one.
Asadisa was unbeaten on 53 after having faced 98 balls for his knock which included five fours and a six.
Match Scores
DSS 241, St. Peter’s 93/1 at Bambalapitiya
Scores
DSS
241 all out in 58.5 overs (Bihan Gamage 40, Shevan Welgama 66, Randisha Bandaranaike 29, Chithum Baddage 27; Sadeesha Silva 2/62, Janith Panditharathna 3/77)
St. Peter’s
93 for 1 in 33 overs (Savi Fernando 32n.o., Asadisa de Silva 53n.o.)
Wesley 200/9 decl., Trinity 40/1 at Campbell Park
Scores
Wesley 200 for 9 decl. in 78 overs (Rasheed Nahyan 43, Rashmika Amararathne 36, Methnula Mayadunna 37n.o.; Chaniru Senarathne 5/55)
Trinity
40 for 1 in 15 overs
Isipatana 190, Lumbini 144/5 at Colts
Scores
Isipatana 190 all out in 57 overs (Navidu Umeth 33, Yuveen Keshan 48, Janith Selaka 54; Yashod Kavindu 4/57, Dinal Sewmina 2/10)
Lumbini
144 for 5 in 38 Overs (Nikil Abilash 62, Kisandu Dulneth 57; Menula Dambakumbura 3/15, Thithira Sansira 2/30)
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