Galle has built a reputation as a spinners' paradise but Australia captain Steve Smith hopes there will be substantial reverse swing at the venue as his top-ranked team bid for a series-levelling win against Sri Lanka in the second test. Sri Lanka inflicted a 106-run defeat on the touring side at Pallekele last week in the opening match of the three-test series with the spinners taking 18 out of 20 Australian wickets to fall.
The prospect of placid pitches and soaring temperatures present a formidable challenge to South Africa's hopes of verifying their status as the world's top team when their Test series against Pakistan begins in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
As Ashwin plays his 50th Test, Rajneesh Gupta gives us the offie's awesome numbers.
The BCCI also wrote a few words wishing luck to the former SA captain.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the numbers on India's biggest Test triumphs, Virat's victories and Ashwin's achievements.
A selection of musings from around the cricket World Cup.
Rajneesh Gupta highlights all the important numbers from cricket World Cups held between 1975 to 2015.
Keen to take the field after missing the first few Indian Premier League matches this season due to a knee injury, Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mitchell Starc expressed his desire to play against Chennai Super Kings, in Bangalore, on Wednesday.
When South Africa lost to India on Sunday, they cemented their reputation for 'choking' in ICC tournaments. Rajneesh Gupta tells us why South Africa's record for freezing in important ICC contests is, alas, well deserved.
'Whichever team starts well, they will have always the advantage because it will be tough for the other team to bounce back in a three-match series.'
Rajneesh Gupta presents the numbers from the first Test.
The Proteas are working overtime to devise a strategy to get the better of the right-hander and they believe the best way to dismiss Rohit is to get him early before he gets his eye in.
'It is easy to criticise the fast bowlers, but do they have the support they need to grow as bowlers? No!'
Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed bagged five wickets for 28 runs on debut as India were dismissed in 25.3 overs in the second ODI in Mirpur. But the pace combination of Stuart Binny (6-4) and Mohit Sharma (4-22) saved India from humiliation by bundling out the hosts for just 58 in 17.4 overs. Following the Rajneesh Gupta presents some interesting statistics.
England seamer Stuart Board said he has learned a few tricks from former India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan on how to excel on the sub-continent pitches.
"The whole idea of Cricket All Stars is that, to try to get as many nations together to celebrate this'
Former Australian tear-away pacer Rodney Hogg, says why India don't have a chance to retain the World Cup.
The batting icon has been busy practising for the last 10 days to get in shape for his brainchild the All Stars Cricket League, to be played in the US next month.
'My type exists in heaps -- millions really -- cheering, cussing and calculating from the comforts of our living room as if the television screen can magically convey our woe or wisdom to the player.' 'Except without our frantic cheering, irrational logic and infectious gusto, the sport would have half its appeal.' Sukanya Verma on what it is like to be the Indian Cricket Fan.
80 Tests and 16,634 deliveries -- the least by any bowler in the 400 Test wicket Club -- took him to the cherished landmark.
Indian cricket's fortunes ebbed and flowed in 2015 with Virat Kohli successfully leading the national side in Tests and Mahendra Singh Dhoni appearing to be losing his midas touch, while in off the field drama Shashank Manohar returned as the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India.
No one even comes close to the impact Anil Kumble has had on Indian cricket, when it comes to winning matches and series, say Aakash Chopra and Impact Index.
As India gets set to play its 500th Test, Rajneesh Gupta presents India's memorable Test victories at home.
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