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Sensational Pant gives India control in Mohali  

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Virat Kohli playing his 100th Test match is removed by a Lasith Embuldeniya beauty in Mohali on day one of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India. Image courtesy: SLC.

Rex Clementine in Mohali

A key figure in India’s series win in Australia last year was Rishab Pant whose stunning counterattack against Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins saw the Aussies lose a Test at the Gabba for the first time in more than 30 years. Sri Lankan players got a taste of Pant’s explosive batting yesterday as he posted 96 off 97 balls on day one of the first Test in Mohali.

Having reduced India to 228 for five and with big names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka were looking to dismiss India perhaps below 300. But that proved to be wishful thinking as Pant threw caution to the wind and helped India to an impregnable position.

Pant was watchful earlier on taking 73 balls for his half-century, but from thereon he was putting the bowling to the sword as his next 46 runs came off 24 balls. Sri Lanka were running out of ideas fast.

Skipper Dimuth Karunarante placed six fielders on the boundary rope hoping that there will be a mishit but that proved to be wishful thinking as Pant cleared the boundary and the ball landed in the stands.

Pant smashed 22 runs off a Lasith Embudeniya over that contained two fours and two sixes. In the next over bowled by Dhananjaya de Silva, the left-hander hammered two one handed sixes.

Soon, Dimuth Karunaratne switched to pace and the new ball was taken when it was due. Lakmal found the breakthrough when he breached Pant’s defences. His 96 came off 97 deliveries with nine fours and four sixes.

India were going at a hectic rate after electing to bat first as 50 runs came inside ten overs. But Rohit Sharma was playing one too many attacking strokes and perished when he tried to deposit a Lahiru Kumara delivery over fine-leg but failed to clear the fielder.

Kumara returned to the dressing room holding his hamstring after bowling ten overs and did not return to the field. The fast bowler has a history of breaking down middle of a Test match. Strangely, he has not played in a First Class game since breaking down halfway through the Bangladesh Test at Pallekele in May last year.

The game was all about Virat Kohli, who was featuring in his 100th Test match. The former captain has gone through a lean patch and many were expecting Sri Lanka’s harmless bowling attack would help him to his first international hundred in more than two years. But when on 45 Embuldeniya cleaned him up with a beauty.

Sri Lanka’s 300th Test match also marked the return of Niroshan Dickwella to international cricket. The early indications are that he has learned little from his time out from the game as he prompted the captain for two silly reviews. Dickwella remains immature, impulsive and perhaps incorrigible.



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Clash of the Sisters set for October 4

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Past students of eight schools will come together in the inaugural 'Clash of the Sisters.'

The St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association will bring together former students from several leading schools for a day of cricket and camaraderie when the ‘Clash of the Sisters ’26’ takes place at the Wesley College Grounds, Campbell Park, on Sunday, October 4.

The tournament will feature a series of fast-paced 10-over softball cricket matches, with past pupils renewing old friendships while representing their respective schools in a spirit of friendly rivalry.

The women’s competition will feature teams representing St. Lawrence’s Convent, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent, St. Anne’s BMV Wattala, Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College and Methodist College.

A men’s invitational exhibition match will also be staged, with the Old Wesleyites Sports Club taking on the S. Thomas’ College OBA.

Organisers are also planning a carnival atmosphere away from the cricket, with food stalls, games, entertainment and other activities lined up for alumni, families and visitors.

The event is being organised by the St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association 2026/27 with the aim of bringing together different alumni communities and strengthening ties between past pupils through sport.

With eight schools involved in the women’s competition and an exhibition fixture adding further interest, organisers expect the event to provide a lively mix of cricket, fellowship and school spirit.

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Play cricket with passion, Madugalle tells youngsters

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Ranjan Madugalle delivering the key note address

by Rex Clementine

Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country.

The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago.

“I hear that four players from this team will be travelling to Japan tomorrow to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. That’s a very good achievement for any club and I urge you to play with passion and be committed. There is no bigger honour than representing your country,” Madugalle said.

Madugalle, who charmed cricket lovers with his elegant stroke play during his playing days, held the gathering spellbound with an eloquent address that also took him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

“I have many fond memories of P. Sara Oval. I walked into this ground as an 11-year-old to watch the Royal-Thomian. I played our inaugural Test here, but above all, my most memorable moment at this ground was when we won our maiden Test against India in 1985.”

The P. Sara Oval occupies a special place in Sri Lankan cricket history. It hosted the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and, three years later, the island’s maiden Test victory when Sri Lanka stunned India.

Madugalle also paid tribute to several Tamil Union stalwarts who had played an influential role in his cricketing journey.

“This club has several stalwarts of the game and there are three people I looked up to. One was Sathi Coomaraswamy, who invited me into the dressing room when I was a kid and ignited the passion in me for the game. Then, of course, there are other gentlemen like Chandra Schaffter and T. Murugaser, who were managers when I was representing the Sri Lankan team.”

Madugalle, a former Head Prefect of Royal College, received a prolonged ovation at the conclusion of his address. Also present was another former Royal Head Prefect, Eran Wickramaratne, who represented Tamil Union in First Class cricket and currently heads Sri Lanka Cricket.

Tamil Union’s championship winning players and coaching staff were felicitated during the ceremony, while club patron Chandra Schaffter made a personal donation of Rs. 1.5 million to the players.

SLC officials, Tamil Union members and several former presidents of the club, including S. Skandakumar, Dinal Philips, A.R. Rasiah, Selva Perumal, Kandos Kandasamy and N. Vasanthakumar, were among those present.

Tamil Union enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s T-20 competition, winning nine matches on the trot before overcoming SSC in the final. The side was captained by wicketkeeper batter Minod Bhanuka.

The club had further reason to celebrate with four of its playersl Tharindu Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando and Sineth Jayawardene selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in Japan.

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Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy on October 4

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Connaissance de Ceylan will be looking to defend their title

Mosvold Sri Lanka, whose portfolio includes Mosvold Villa Ahangama and Sundara by Mosvold Balapitiya, will stage the second edition of the Mosvold Sixes in partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation on Sunday, 4th October 2026, at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club.

The six a side softball cricket tournament brings together twenty destination management companies from across the travel trade for a day of competition, networking and celebration ahead of the industry’s busiest months.

Play runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with food and beer available throughout the day. Once the final match is done, the tournament moves into an evening of live music and an after party for players and guests.

Now in its second year, the Mosvold Sixes began as a way to bring the travel trade together as a season opener, a chance for agents, suppliers and partners to network, play cricket and unwind before the season ahead gets busy. Mosvold Sri Lanka says the longer term goal is to widen the tournament to foreign agents, giving international partners a firsthand look at how the local trade works, plays and welcomes visitors.

The tournament trophy, the Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy, is named after the Foundation by design. Giving back sits at the centre of the event, and the Foundation’s work spans education, women and community upliftment.

Twenty DMCs have confirmed for this year’s tournament: Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance de Ceylan, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka and Ceylon Tours.

Connaissance de Ceylan enters as the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year.

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