Devdutt Padikkal's childhood coach, Mohammad Naseeruddin, revealed the rigorous training regimen the cricketer underwent, including practising with Kookaburra balls on turning pitches, to prepare for the Sri Lankan spin attack ahead of the Test series.
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a big toe injury. The injury, sustained during the India A tour last month, requires further healing time, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.
Team India has brought in four young Indian spinners - Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam - to assist in net practice ahead of their two-Test series against Sri Lanka, despite already having four spinners in their main squad.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to make his return to Test cricket against Sri Lanka, a team he has historically performed well against, bringing significant experience in both batting and bowling to the Indian squad.
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan is expected to replace the injured Sai Sudharsan in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, as confirmed by BCCI sources.
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has not joined the Indian team in Colombo for their two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. He is undergoing recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with his availability for the series to be decided in the coming days.
Already, the knives are out for Gautam Gambhir because of his poor record as coach in Test matches, and a potential defeat in Sri Lanka could prove to be the killer blow.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI's batters made India's bowlers toil as they piled up 363/8 on Day 1 of the Warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Friday.
India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is expected to be announced next week, with fitness concerns surrounding pace leader Jasprit Bumrah.
Opener Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani scored his second century of the series, an unbeaten 100, to help India U-19 declare their second innings at 208 for three. This put them in a commanding position against Sri Lanka U-19, who were chasing an improbable 472 and ended day three at 155-4.
Uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain has been named as the replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, while the availability of key players Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan hinges on their fitness clearance.
India U-19 defeated Sri Lanka U-19 by 211 runs in the second Youth Test in Colombo, securing the two-match series 1-0, with leg-spinner Rohit Yadav and pacer C Venkata sharing seven wickets.
India's first Youth Test against Sri Lanka U-19 concluded in a draw, marked by opener Lakshay Raichandani's impressive double century (207) and Manav Krishna's patient hundred (100). Despite India securing a significant first-innings lead, Sri Lanka U-19 batted out the final day to ensure a stalemate.
Kushagra Ojha scored an unbeaten century, guiding India U-19 to a strong position of 253 for three against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Youth Test. After a shaky start where India lost two early wickets for no runs, Ojha, along with Yashbardhan Chauhan (78) and Manal Chauhan (55*), built crucial partnerships to stabilise the innings.
India U19 gained a commanding position against Sri Lanka U19 on Day 2 of their Youth Test. Manal Chauhan scored a magnificent 150, building on Kushagra Ojha's century, to help India post 411. The bowlers then ripped through the Sri Lankan batting line-up, reducing them to 122 for eight, securing a significant lead for India.
Senuja Wekunagoda's imposing unbeaten double hundred helped Sri Lanka Under-19 take control of the first Youth Test against India Under-19, posting a formidable 344/4 on the opening day in Galle.
A former Indian under-19 cricketer, who is a co-owner of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings, was arrested by Sri Lanka's sports anti-corruption investigators on Friday over allegations of attempting to bribe a player.
West Indies have secured their first Test series victory in three years, defeating Sri Lanka 1-0 after the second and final Test in North Sound ended in a rain-affected draw.
VK Vineeth's superb 131 went in vain as Sri Lanka recovered from early jolts to notch up a thrilling one-wicket win off the last ball in the third and final Youth ODI and clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Hambantota on Thursday.
Openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk made unbeaten 93 and 87 respectively as India Under-19 made a strong reply against Sri Lanka Under-19 on Day 2 of the first Youth Test in Galle on Tuesday.
Anvay Dravid, son of legendary Rahul Dravid, displayed his potential with a 67-ball 87, but opener Dimantha Mahavithana made an unbeaten 155 to guide Sri Lanka U-19 to an eight-wicket win over India U-19 in the second Youth ODI.
Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi's impressive four-wicket spell with the second new ball helped India 'A' secure a substantial 122-run first-innings lead against Sri Lanka 'A' on day three of the opening 'Test'. Sri Lanka 'A' were bowled out for 330 after being in a strong position, with India 'A' further consolidating their lead to 170 runs by stumps.
Cricket South Africa has revised the India women's team tour schedule to include three T20Is, a Test, and three ODIs, extending the tour until December 30.
India Test captain Shubman Gill sustained two painful blows to his right hand during a training session in Colombo, just before a warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI. Despite initial concerns, assessments suggest no serious damage, allowing Gill to continue preparations for the upcoming World Test Championship series.
The India A squad is set to tour Sri Lanka for a two-match red-ball series, offering a crucial platform for emerging cricketers like Aquib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal to impress selectors and stake their claim for a spot in the senior national team. Dhruv Jurel will captain the side.
Goa's Venkata Chigurupati has earned his maiden India Under-19 call-up for the Sri Lanka tour after a standout season of 49 wickets and 380 runs, as the fast-bowling all-rounder sets his sights on the U-19 World Cup and a future in India's Test team.
Sri Lanka A's Vishen Halambage and senior wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella have been sanctioned on separate counts by the Sri Lanka Cricket-appointed match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash.
Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain, 33, has been named in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Washington Sundar, marking a surprise call-up after impressive all-round performances for India A.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India A's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed early for the second match in a row against Sri Lanka A, in the Tri-Nation A Series match in Dambulla, on Monday.
A brilliant unbeaten half-century from Nilakshika Silva saw Sri Lanka complete a spectacular chase and claim a five-wicket win over reigning champions New Zealand at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga has undergone a dramatic transformation, surprising many, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, with his lean look following bariatric surgery in 2024.
A tri-series cricket match between India A and Sri Lanka A concluded with a Super Over loss for India A, followed by a heated argument and near-physical confrontation involving India A's teen batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A bowler Kaguthas Mathulan. The incident required intervention from senior players, and the match referee is expected to review the matter.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane shares crucial advice for Indian batters facing Sri Lankan spinners in the upcoming Test series, emphasising a proactive approach.
Anvay Dravid was named as the wicketkeeper-batter in the one-day squad which will play three limited overs matches in Sri Lanka.
Kin of 2019 Easter Sunday attack victims in Sri Lanka protested against alleged opposition attempts to obstruct ongoing investigations. The protests follow the arrest of former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay and accusations of political conspiracy related to the attacks. The current government has reopened the probe, citing past political interference.
Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage has emerged as the favourite for gold in the Commonwealth Games javelin final, potentially overshadowing the much-anticipated rivalry between India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem. Pathirage, the world leader with a stunning 92.62m throw, has been in exceptional form this season, while Chopra and Nadeem are returning from injuries. The final also features other strong contenders, including former world and Olympic champions, promising a high-quality contest.
Opener Lakshay Rajesh Raichandani scored an unbeaten 196, supported by Sagar Virk's 134, to lead India U-19 to 378 for three on day three of the first Youth Test against Sri Lanka U-19. India trails Sri Lanka's first innings total of 424 for nine by 46 runs.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
Joe Root will captain England on a permanent basis for the first time since 2022 in the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan, with Jordan Cox taking the number three spot due to Jacob Bethell's injury and Dan Lawrence earning a recall.
Auqib Nabi proved unstoppable with the ball last season -- picking up 60 wickets in 10 matches at an incredible average of 12.56 last season to help J&K script history by winning its first Ranji Trophy title.
