We want to do well in T20 matches: Bhuvneshwar Kumar on preparation for World T20

Bhuvneshwar Kumar points changes in white ball under lights, Suryakumar Yadav lauds Dravid

Indian team sweat it out under lights at the R Premadasa Stadium before the ODI series against the hosts Sri Lanka and players outlined the need of getting back into groove while under lights. The vice-captain Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, who will spearhead the bowling attack said that the session was crucial as the players have not had much time training under lights in the recent times. He said that getting the ‘feel’ of the white ball was essential for both the batsmen and bowlers as white ball behaves pecualiraly under lights. “We wanted to practise under lights before the series as none of us would have practised under lights for a long long time. It was very important, especially from bowlers’ point of view as white ball at times behaves differently under lights. At times it swings, and at other times it does not and hence it matters for the batsmen as well to get the feel of it before the main series,” Bhuvaneshwar Kumar said in a video released by the BCCI. On the other hand, one of the newest face in the side, Suryakumar Yadav pointed out the ‘biggest boost’ of having a man like Rahul Dravid in and around the side to help each and every players. He did not find it necessary to count the role and influence Dravid has on this team and said that the fact that he gives time to each and every players to help them in every aspect of the game speaks volume of the role he has been playing for the side filled with senior and younger players. The ODI series between India and Sri Lanka is schedule to start on Sunday, July 18 in Colombo.

It's been good working with Rahul Dravid, he has kept things simple: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has said that head coach Rahul Dravid has kept things “very simple” and it’s been a good experience working with him. "It's been good (working with Dravid). We spent 14 days in quarantine in Mumbai. After seven days, we were out in the gym. He's kept things very simple,” he said in the presser. “There are young guys, there are senior guys. Everyone is listening to him. It's been a good experience,” Kumar further added. The selectors had earlier called-up as many six uncapped players for the Sri Lanka which comprises of three ODIs and as many T20Is while the team will be led by Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar was named his deputy. Talking about the youngsters, Kumar lavished praised on the players and said that they have showed their skills in the IPL and have earned a place for themselves in the team. "First of all, these are very talented young guys. We've seen them in their respective IPL teams. They have done really well there to grab their spots in the Indian team. I don't think they need much guidance. You just go and talk to them if there's a need for something to talk about. We never try to make anything complicated. We've got Rahul Dravid with us, he is guiding them really well,” he said. The first ODI of the series takes place on Sunday (July 18, 2021) in Colombo.

WI vs Aus | 5th T20I: Australia look to finish on a high after first win on Caribbean tour

On the back of a sensational final over by Mitchell Starc, Australia managed to win their first match of the Caribbean tour to make the scoreline 3-1 in favour of the hosts. Ahead of the final encounter, Australia will look to take confidence into the dead rubber and the three-match ODI series which will be followed by the T20 series. Riding on a brilliant knock from the blade of Mitchell Marsh, Australia produced a much-improved batting performance in the 4th encounter setting the hosts a challenging target of 190. Marsh has been a revelation for the Aussies in the series so far and the experiment at No 3 has worked wonders so far. He has been one of the bright spots for Australia in an otherwise disappointing tour so far. Not only with the bat, Marsh has also starred with the ball and bagged three crucial wickets in the previous game to stifle West Indies in their bid to chase down 190. However, the hosts would feel they lost from a commanding position. After racing off to 75 in the powerplay, West Indies looked well in pursuit of the victory target but it was the inability of Andre Fletcher to rotate the strike in the middle overs which put undue pressure on Lendl Simmons who was otherwise looking in stupendous touch. Fletcher, who was relegated in the batting line-up due to the absence of Shimron Hetmyer, needed to show some intent while batting in the middle overs. While there is no doubt about his power-hitting abilities, Fletcher has not even been a shadow of himself in the series so far. Despite the loss of momentum in the middle overs, West Indies managed to storm their way back into the match courtesy of exceptional power-hitting by Andre Russell and Fabian Allen in the penultimate over of Riley Meredith. Windies looked the favourites with 11 required of the last 8 but the wicket of Allen in the same over made a huge difference as Russell was forced to refuse a single in the final overs. With the T20 World Cup slated to be played in UAE and Oman between October-November, both the teams will get more opportunities to finetune their team combinations. While West Indies is slated to play Pakistan in a five-match T20I series, Australia is also supposed to play Bangladesh in as many matches. Match Details West Indies vs Australia, 5th T20I Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia Date & Time: July 17th, at 5:00, AM IST and July 16th, at 7:30 PM Local Time Live Streaming: Fan code Pitch Report and Toss Barring the final few deliveries of the previous encounter where Mitchell Starc kept firing it on the legs of Andre Russell, change of pace has been the order of the day for the pacers. The pitch has been two paced on occasions but once set the batsmen can go hammers and tongs. It is expected to be another batting paradise tomorrow and the team winning the toss might look to chase. However, Australia who won their first game of the series after batting first might stick to this method. Weather forecast Temperature is expected to hover around 28 degrees and like the previous encounter, there could be a rain interruption here and there. With the monsoon season setting in, we could be in for a bit of interruption in the 5th encounter as well. Team News West Indies Regular skipper Kieron Pollard hasn’t managed to play a single match in the series so far owing to an injury and won’t play any part in the final encounter either. Shimron Hetmyer and Obed McCoy who are also nursing minor injuries in all likelihood will be rested from the final encounter. Dwayne Bravo who was rested in the previous game might make a return which might provide the much-needed experience for the home team in the bowling department. The rest of the playing XI is expected to remain the same. Oshane Thomas who got some stick in the previous game might get one more game. Probable Playing XI Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran (c and wk), Andre Russell, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell Australia Among the current Australian squad, Andrew Tye, Mitchell Swepson and Wes Agar are the three players who haven’t been tried in the series so far. Meredith, who received some serious treatment in the previous clash, might have to sit out in favour of either Tye or Agar. Meanwhile, Ashton Agar and Ben McDermott are nursing minor injuries and might not play in the final encounter as well. Probable Playing XI Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Dan Christian, Mitchell Starc, Wes Agar, Adam Zampa/Mitchell Swepson, Mitchell Starc Dream11/ Fantasy team Wicket-keeper- Matthew Wade, Nicholas Pooran Batsmen- Aaron Finch, Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons All-rounder- Mitchell Marsh, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo Bowlers- Hayden Walsh Jr, Mitchell Starc, Wes Agar

FanCode to broadcast The Hundred in India

Shutting all the speculations surrounding the official broadcaster of cricket’s newest format- The Hundred, FanCode has announced that it will live stream all the games of the tournament in India starting with the launch date of July 21. The first match in The Hundred is a Women's affair between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals and would be held at Kia Oval in London. The Hundred was launched as the flagship tournament of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the first edition of the event was supposed to be held in 2020. However, it was postponed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sony Sports Network has the official broadcasting rights of England’s international cricket in India and hence it was being speculated if the network will secure the broadcasting rights for The Hundred as well. The rights of The Hundred will come as a shot in the arm for FanCode as they are looking to increase their positioning as an international broadcaster. It has broadcasting rights of the international and domestic games in the West Indies, New Zealand and Ireland among others.