Factbox-Cricket-India v Sri Lanka - first test
(Reuters) - Here is what you need to know about the first test between India and Sri Lanka, which starts on Friday.
Rohit Sharma Sport News
India To Tour Ireland For Two-Match T20I Series In June
A second-string Indian cricket team will play against Ireland in two T20 Internationals in Malahide on June 26 and June 28. Cricket Ireland has confirmed that the Indian team would be touring Ireland for a short two-match T20I series in June. However, the series is unlikely to see top players such as all-format skipper Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli, first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in action as the remaining one Test match from the last year's tour of England is scheduled to held from July 1-5.
India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test: India Look To Extend Incredible Record In Tests vs Sri Lanka At Home
Team India and Sri Lanka will battle it out in a two-match Test series starting March 4 in Mohali. The first Test will mark the beginning of newly appointed full-time skipper Rohit Sharma's journey as the leader of the Test side. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, will represent India in the cricketing whites for the 100th time. The home side has a few records to extend as it enters the Test series. One that must be highlighted is India's dominance over the island nation in Tests at home.
India vs Sri Lanka: Spoke To PCA President, Virat Kohli's 100th Test To Have Spectators As Per "Govt Directives", Says Sourav Ganguly - Report
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said that there will be no crowd restrictions in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Mohali and the spectators will be allowed as per government directives. The Mohali Test will also be Virat Kohli's 100th game in the longest format. "Virat Kohli's 100th test match will have no restrictions. BCCI asks the state associations to open up on the basis of govt directives. It is as per the government norms," Ganguly told ANI.
Rohit Sharma Is In XI For Batting, Shouldn't Lose Focus On That: Ex-India Selector Feels Captaincy "Additional Responsibility"
Team India registered a crushing 3-0 T20I series victory against Sri Lanka at home under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. With the third T20I win in Dharamsala, India joined Afghanistan and Romania in the list of most consecutive victories in the format with 12 wins. Such has been the domination of this side at home that even a new-look team looked fairly comfortable against the likes of New Zealand, West Indies and now Sri Lanka. Skipper Rohit Sharma was spot on in regards to his bowling changes and field placements but what lacked was his consistency with the bat, something for which he is well known for.
In T20s, it's a crime if you play a dot ball: Shreyas Iyer
IPL that he had to let go last year; back from injury and rehab that took away a good deal of time - Shreyas Iyer is once again marching to reclaim his space and identity. The batsman took time out to speak at length with TOI. Excerpts:Back in great form, back as IPL captain. Great start to the year?I wouldn't say the best start, but yes, a decent one. Why not great?I had a very bad stomach infection at the start of the year when we were in South Africa. I lost seven kilos there. Basically, whatever I was eating, it was coming out. It was one of the worst phases of my life.
Now more mature, experienced in terms of decision making, captaincy skills: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer believes that he would be entering the captaincy job with his new IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with more maturity and experience with regards to decision making and captaincy skills. In the IPL mega auction, Iyer was snapped by Kolkata for Rs 12.25 crores and was soon announced as the captain of the franchise ahead of IPL 2022. Iyer comes in with experience of captaining Delhi Capitals in 41 IPL matches, including taking them to the final of IPL 2020. "I would be coming in with a much different mindset now. I'm now more mature and experienced in terms of my decision making and captaincy skills. Really waiting eagerly to work with every individual in the team, and build that synergy which could really help the team perform at a different level. I'm just going to love the responsibility, and I thrive under pressure," said Iyer to KKR's official website on Monday.
Ex-India Selector Names Youngster As "Best Bet" To Take Over Cheteshwar Pujara's Number 3 Slot In Tests
Rohit Sharma's first Test as captain will also usher in a new era for India's middle-order with Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari all set to become long-term replacements of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. It is now clear that Rahane and Pujara won't be called for the three Tests this season (two against Sri Lanka and one away game against England) where Vihari and Gill, along with Shreyas Iyer as back-up, will be the options. There are two vacant spots from the last Test that India played in Cape Town and as Virat Kohli plays his 100th Test at Mohali, the three youngsters will be preparing for a long haul in the spots vacated by the two veterans after having made those their own for a decade.