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McGrath says young Indians have potential to become fast bowlers

Chennai, Aug 21 (ANI): Australian cricket legend and pace bowler Glenn McGrath said India had the potential to produce top-class fast bowlers but advised the budding cricketers to redouble their energy. McGrath, director of coaching at MRF Pace Foundation, made the comments after watching the performance of young cricketers along with another cricket legend and master batsman Sachin Tendulkar. McGrath, who has played 124 Tests and 250 One-day Internationals before his retirement in 2007, said the Indian conditions did not favour fast bowlers but advised the students to practice hard. Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar, who during his playing days, used to come for practice at the foundation, commended its efforts in guiding the budding fast bowlers.

Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli, Test Cricket, Fast Bowlers, Jehan Mubarak

Colombo, Aug 21 (ANI): Opener Lokesh Rahul struck his second test century and combined with skipper Virat Kohli to help India recover from a shaky start and reach 319 for six at stumps on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka. Rahul said he was satisfied with his efforts. Paceman Prasad jolted India early, trapping Murali Vijay leg before wicket and getting Ajinkya Rahane, promoted to number three, caught in the slips. Prasad said it was flat wicket and there was incentive for the fast bowlers in the afternoon. India could have slumped to 20-3 but Jehan Mubarak spilled Rahul at gully off Dushmantha Chameera with the batsman on 11.

Saina Nehwal disappointed to lose World Championship Final

Bengaluru, Aug 21 (ANI): Ace Indian Shuttler Saina Nehwal, who regained her top spot in the women's singles Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings, said she was disappointed to lose the World Championship final last week. Nehwal had to settle with silver medal after her 16-21, 19-21 defeat to defending champion Carolina Marin of Spain in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. Nehwal has established herself as the face of Indian badminton since winning the Indonesian Open in 2009 and became the first shuttler from her country to win an Olympic medal when she returned with a bronze from this summer's London Games. Nehwal said she was looking forward to Japan and Korea Open next month. Nehwal created history by becoming the first Indian to reach the World Championship final and dethroned Marin in the latest rankings.

Saina Nehwal dethrones Carolina Marin to regain No 1 rank

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal regained her top spot in the Women's singles Badminton World Federation (BWF) Rankings on Thursday. Despite losing to her Spanish counterpart Carolina Marin in the World Championship's final last week, Saina dethroned her in the latest rankings released today. Saina, who had to settle with the silver medal after her 16-21, 19-21 defeat against the defending champion, created history by becoming the first Indian to reach the finals of the World Championship.

BCCI felicitates and bids farewell to 'retiring' Sangakkara at Colombo

Colombo, Aug 20 (ANI): BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, felicitated Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and bid him farewell, who will play his final international match on Thursday. Sri Lanka will be looking to win the second Test against India on Thursday and seal the three-Test series to give Sangakkara a fitting farewell. India unfortunately lost the first Test at Galle by 63 runs after dominating the first two innings. India won the toss and chose to bat against Sri Lanka.

Report to decide fate of banned franchises of IPL ready

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajiv Shukla said the working committee of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will discuss Working Group's report to decide the fate of IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings later this month. The Working Group, which had its final meeting in Delhi, will submit the report first for ratification to IPL Governing Council. Last month, the franchise owners of IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years by the Indian cricket board for their role in an illegal betting scandal that erupted in 2013.

Saina Nehwal decides to take her defeat positively

Hyderabad, Aug 18 (ANI): Badminton star Saina Nehwal held a news conference in Hyderabad after her loss to Carolina Marin in the finals of the World Badminton Championship in Jakarta. Ace shuttler Nehwal settled for silver after her loss to Spanish player Carolina Marin at World Badminton Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday (August 16). Nehwal blamed her loss in the World Championships final on silly unnecessary errors at crucial times during the second game. But she was happy as she could make it to the finals after so many trials. Nehwal said that it was very disappointing to lose in the final but wished to take the positively and confident about future games.

Cricket team confident about next Test match, says Amit Mishra

Colombo, Aug 18 (ANI): Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra said that the cricket team was working very hard and will make a comeback in the next Test match against Sri Lanka. Mishra was interacting with the media in capital Colombo on Tuesday (August 18). He said that all his teammates have introspected about their performances and the chances of committing mistakes in the next two matches were less. Backing batsmen of his team Mishra said that Indian cricket team has some of the finest batsmen. Mishra, who is playing in the team after four years, said he was under pressure. India lost to host Sri Lanka by 63 runs in the opening Test match in Galle. The second Test, the last for retiring Sri Lankan batting stalwart Kumar Sangakkara, will start on Thursday (August 20) at P Sara Oval in Colombo.

Shikhar is courageous to play with a crack and score 100, says Ravi Shastri

Colombo, Aug 17 (ANI): Post a hand injury disables India's opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan to play further in the Sri Lanka Test Series. Dhawan had injured his right hand during the first Test at Galle. He underwent further tests that confirmed a hairline fracture in his hand. He would require four to six weeks to recover from the injury. While addressing a press conference in Colombo on Monday, the Team India Director Ravi Shastri, called Dhawan courageous to play with a crack and score 100. Ravi also said that team is determined to introspect and learn.

Saina Nehwal lost to Carolina Marin, but will encourage all the budding players says Saina's father

Saina Nehwal loses to world's top seed Carolina Marin settles for silver at World Badminton Championship in Jakarta on Sunday. Saina lost her final match against defending champion and number one seed Carolina Marin 16-21 19-21. Despite Saina's brave fight against Carolina, by leading early in the first two sets, she let go off the advantage and ended up at the second best. Post the match, Sania's Father said that she shall encourage a lot of budding players as Saina Nehwal becomes first Indian player to win a SILVER medal at the World Badminton Championships.

No excuses, we played badly, says Kohli

Galle, August 15 (ANI): Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli admitted that his side failed to perform well on the fourth day of the first Test played against Sri Lanka in Galle. He further said there is a need for improvement in Indian Cricket team's counter moves. The 26-year -old also praised the hosts for their fearless performance, adding that his side went tentative. Sri Lanka Cricket Team Captain Angelo Mathews said that it was the united team effort which led them to the win. Earlier today, India suffered a shocking defeat of 63 runs against the hosts. Chasing 175 runs for victory, Kohli's team was bundled out for paltry 112 runs. For Lanka, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath scalped seven Indian wickets while P. Kausal claimed three wickets. Dinesh Chandimal was declared Man of the Match for his swashbuckling second innings knock of 162.

Chandimal heroics helps Sri Lanka set India 176 for win

Galle, Aug 15 (ANI): Batsman Dinesh Chandimal inspired a Sri Lankan fightback with an attacking unbeaten 162, his highest score, as the hosts set India a target of 176 on the third day to win the opening Test at Galle. Chandimal said he was satisfied with his performance. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked up six wickets in the first innings, took his third in the second by sending back Thirimanne after a catch by Ajinkya Rahane at slip. Ashwin also clean bowled number 11 batsman Nuwan Pradeep to finish with a match haul of 10 wickets. Indian Batsman, Ajinkya Rahane, said they wanted to win the match.

'I play according to wickets', says Shikhar Dhawan after scoring 134 in first Test against Sri Lanka

Galle, Aug 13 (ANI): Indian Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday said that he plays according to wickets, after scoring a whooping 134 runs against Sri Lanka in first Test match at Galle. Test skipper Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan extended their partnership and started to build a lead for Team India when they opened proceedings on Day 2 of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle on Thursday. He also lauded Virat Kohli's batting skills and said that the latter's performance was also one reason why he was slow at the pitch.

Off-spinner spins India to box seat in Galle test

Galle, Aug 13 (ANI): Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin expressed happiness over his performance and a good start for the team as he claimed six for 46 in a fine display of spin bowling against Sri Lanka. India skittled out Sri Lanka for 183 in two sessions on the opening day to take upper hand in the first test at Galle. In reply, the visitors lost two early wickets but recovered to reach 128-2 at stumps, trailing Sri Lanka by 55 runs. Off-spinner Ashwin finished with his 11th five-wicket haul in tests, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra picked up two wickets in successive balls in his return to test cricket after four years. Aswhin, speaking at a news conference, said even after losing the toss the Indian team has an upper hand. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan batsman Dimuth Karunarante praised the Indian bowlers for their exceptional performance and accepted his team gave poor batting performance.

It's been a great meaningful rivalry between India and Sri Lanka: Sangakkara

Galle, Aug 11 (ANI): Sri lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, on Tuesday provided a backdrop to his last test series before retirement. He did not forget to mention the prolonged tussle between India and Sri Lanka, facing Indian cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwaag and et al, where he explicitly stated the tough times. He further stated hopefully this series also turns out to be a meaningful rivalry as both the teams have been through their ordeal.

Want to be remembered by how I played: Sangakkara

Galle, Aug 11 (ANI): Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday provided a backdrop to his last test series before retirement. He will begin his 133rd Test on Wednesday against India, at the ground where he made his debut more than 15 years ago, having agreed to delay his retirement for two more matches. Sangakkara said that he has enjoyed every moment of his game whether it be related to victory or loss. He added that he only wants to be remembered by the way he has played on field.

Don't like to associate his batting with his captainship: Virat Kohli

Galle, Aug 11 (ANI): Captain for the Indian team in test cricket Virat Kohli on Tuesday said he doesn't like to associate his batting with his captainship. Virat will be tested when India goes into the three-match cricket Test series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. He also praised his team mates and said his boys are dedicated, fresh and look pretty 'hungry to improve'. He also mentioned that this series is a great chance for young Indian players to establish themselves as test cricketers.

Murali Vijay to miss first Test against Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury

Sri Lanka, Aug 10 (ANI): India opener Murali Vijay will miss the first Test against Sri Lanka due to a right hamstring injury, team director Ravi Shastri said on Monday. The 31-year-old sustained the niggle in Zimbabwe during India's recent limited over series there and did not bat in either innings of India's only warm-up match ahead of the Galle Test starting on Wednesday. In his absence, Shikhar Dhawan is set to open the innings with the 23-year-old Lokesh Rahul who has played only two Tests. India will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour, with the second Test at Colombo's P. Sara Oval on August 20 being Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara's international swansong. The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo will host the final test on August 28.

Indian cricket team gears up for Test series in Colombo

Colombo, Aug 06 (ANI): Indian cricket players were seen practicing on a pitch in Sri Lanka ahead of a Test series starting at Galle from August 12. The 15-members team led by Virat Kohli arrived in Colombo on Monday. The team's bowling coach Bharat Arun was confident the players would perform well in the series. India will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour. Colombo's P Sara Oval will host the second test from August 20, assuming added importance for being Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara's international swansong. The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo will host the final test on August 28.

Indian cricket team holds practice sessions in Colombo ahead of Test series

Colombo, Aug 04 (ANI): Indian cricketers sweated out in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Tuesday ahead of the test series starting at Galle on August 12. The 15-member team along with the support staff was seen holding practice sessions. The team led by Captain Virat Kohli arrived in Colombo on Monday. Indians will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour. Opener Murali Vijay, who is back in the team, said that he has got the chance to prove himself.. Colombo's P Sara Oval will host the second test from Aug. 20, assuming added importance for being Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara's international swansong.