SL vs IND: Head to Head In ODI’s
The ODI series will see India and Sri Lanka moving to Colombo right after the series conclusion of the T20I series. In the IND vs SL ODI series, there are three matches scheduled for the series, out of which the first one is on Friday, August 2, 2024. The return of captain Rohit Sharma, who comes back into the team following Suryakumar Yadav‘s captaincy in the T20I series, will certainly boost India. Indeed, Sharma is the captain of the team in both ODIs and Tests. It will be the same case for Sri Lanka, who will retain Charith Asalanka as their skipper for the ODI series. Though he was not able to handle his team as expected in the T20I series with an end result of 3-0. Ahead of the IND vs SL 1st ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium, here are the complete head-to-head records between India and Sri Lanka in One Day Internationals. Check out more insights from the ODI leg of India’s tour of Sri Lanka here. Head-To-Head India has played 168 ODI matches against Sri Lanka. Out of these, India has won 99, while Sri Lanka has won 57 games. Besides, 11 matches ended without a result, and 1 match ended in a tie. INDIA vs SRI LANKA HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ODI’s CATEGORY INDIA SRI LANKA Matches Played 168 168 Matches Won 99 57 Matches Lost 57 99 No Result 11 11 Tied 1 1 Home Wins 40 28 Away Wins 32 12 Neutral Venue Wins 27 17 Head-to-Head: Recent 5 Encounters Of the last five ODI outings between these two teams, all have been won by India. However, the home series in July 2021 did see Sri Lanka win one ODI game out of the three. Of these five matches, three have been hosted in India and two in Sri Lanka. India will eye to add one more series win against their name while Sri Lanka will be playing for their pride after a 3-0 loss in theT20I series. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL vs IND: ODI Series Kicks Off in Colombo
The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka gets underway on Friday, 2ns August, 2024 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Big Names Return for India Bolstered by the return of senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian Cricket Team is looking to keep the winning momentum going. Unlike the T20 format, India has an extremely solid core for the 50-over game; this series will go a long way in cementing places within the team and grooming future talent. Squad Focus and Strategy With only six ODIs to be played before the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, the upcoming series becomes very important for the new coach and captain to stamp their strategy. The third pacer to complement Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj features at the top of the list of areas to focus on. On the other hand, Mohammed Shami, an exceptional performer in the World Cup last year, will be tried alongside new talent like Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and IPL sensation Harshit Rana. The blinding six-wicket haul was by Siraj at this very venue during the Asia Cup, so he will spearhead the pace attack. Wicketkeeper Dilemma Another call pending for the Indian team is at the wicketkeeper’s position. K.L. Rahul has been effective both as a batsman and ‘keeper, but with Rishabh Pant back in the ODI set-up, the team has a strategic call to make. Pant would provide an extra left-hand option in batting, but may restrict India to five bowlers. Sri Lanka’s Injury Woes It’s an injurious start to the series for Sri Lanka, with key pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana out of action. Clearly a case of improvements needed, their struggles in the T20 series were marked by middle-order collapses. A second-string pace attack makes Sri Lanka heavily dependent on their spinners to test India’s strong batting line-up. The team is keen to end a ten-match losing streak against India and provide a boost for their fans. INDIA Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Ꮪhubman Gill, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana. SRI LANKA Charith Asalanka (Capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. Match Details The first ODI will start at 14:30 IST and both the teams will be looking to start the series on a winning note. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Historic All-Indian Clash in Badminton Knockout Stage
The Paris Olympics 2024 knockout is now set for an exciting all-Indian clash between Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy in what had already been a landmark moment for badminton in India. Lakshya Sen, though, stole the limelight of that round by defeating the third seed and medal contender Jonatan Christie of Indonesia during the group stages in a display of his scorching talent. Prannoy, however, had to fight a difficult path to victory over Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in three intense games. Road to the Quarterfinals It is not about a patriotic battle; one of these players will advance to the quarterfinals to face the winner of the possible encounter between the fifth seed, Kodai Naraoka, and the 12th seed, Chou Tien Chen. Lakshya and Prannoy are both standing in contention to create history by picking up India’s first-ever men’s badminton medal at the Olympics, providing an added layer of intrigue to their showdown. Represented India in Other Disciplines The round of 16 is not only reserved for men’s singles in the representation from India. There is also a representation in women’s singles through seasoned P.V. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, and in men’s doubles through Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, a dynamic duo that made it through the group stages. Head-to-Head Record Date Tournament Player 1 Player 2 Winner Tue 1/17/2023 India Open 2023 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Wed 1/11/2023 Malaysia Open 2023 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen HS Prannoy Thu 10/20/2022 Denmark Open 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Thu 8/25/2022 World Championships 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen HS Prannoy Wed 6/15/2022 Indonesia Open 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen HS Prannoy Fri 3/11/2022 German Open 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Fri 1/14/2022 India Open HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Now, coming to the head-to-head record, Lakshya Sen is marginally ahead of H.S. Prannoy with a record of 4-3. Their last battle was at the India Open in January 2023, when Lakshya dominated and won comprehensively 21-14, 21-15. In this match, two stalwarts will face off against each other, and both will come up with their best performance in the court. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: A Triple Treat For India As Kusale Bags Bronze
Swapnil Kusale bagged a bronze in the men’s rifle 50m 3 position final—during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Chateauroux Shooting Range on Thursday. As It Happened The 28-year-old marksman tallied 451.4 en route to the finish of four rounds of the elimination stage. Yukun Liu of China took the gold while Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine finished with the silver medal. Through most of the kneeling position series, he floated around in sixth place. A strong first two series in the prone position bumped him up to fourth place. Kusale had already claimed third position with a good gap, posting 51.4 and 50.4 in his two series at the standing rounds to give him a comfortable cushion going into the elimination round as the shots of 9.4 and 9.9 in the second and third shots were good enough for third place. Still, the gap to Kulish in second was too great to close from fourth spot as he had to settle for bronze. Read about Swapnil Kusale’s journey to the Paris Olympics 2024 here. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Swapnil Kusale: The Calm Marksman Inspired by MS Dhoni
Hailing from Kambalwadi village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Swapnil Kusale started competing at the international level back in 2012 and finally made his Olympic debut at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 29-year-old shooter hopes to emulate another cricket icon, M S Dhoni, who happened to be a former railway ticket collector. Inspired by Dhoni Kusale, working with Central Railways since 2015, has always been an admirer of former India captain Dhoni because of his calmness and patience, which are two very important virtues for cricket and shooting alike. “I don’t follow anyone specific in the shooting world. Outside of that, I admire Dhoni for the person that he is. My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was,” Kusale shared. One could see his admiration for Dhoni’s life story as he has watched the biopic of the World Cup-winning cricketer numerous times. Family Support and Local Roots Kusale draws strength from more than just his admiration for Dhoni. His father and brother work as teachers in a district school, and his mother is the sarpanch of Kambalwadi village. It is this strong family foundation that has contributed heavily to his rise through the ranks to the Olympics. An Aim to Win Olympic Medals In a tight qualification, Kusale finished seventh and only ahead of his Czech rivals through counting inner 10s – he scored 38 to their 36. Afterwards Kusale explained his strategy for the event: “Every shot is a new shot. I was just trying to be patient. The whole match I had the same mindset. Just shoot with patience. At the back of the mind, you are thinking about your scores but it is better if you don’t.“ Coach’s Confidence and Peers’ Motivation National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan sounded quite confident about Kusale’s prospects in the finals, saying, “He is in a good frame of mind. We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient. He is good technically and physically.“ She also took inspiration from fellow shooter Manu Bhaker, who had enjoyed unprecedented success at the Games. “It has been a great experience so far. I love shooting and I am glad that I have been able to do it for so long. Seeing Manu do well gives us a lot of confidence. If she can do it, we can do it too,” Kusale said. Keeping cool, his Dhoni-like patient calm will be equally important as he waits for a final placing, hopefully inside the top three, that will catapult him into the ranks of Indian sport’s high achievers. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Key Takeaways From IPL Franchises And BCCI Meeting
It was a crunch sitting at Wankhede Stadium where owners of IPL franchises sat on Wednesday, 31st July, 2024 to discuss the future of player retention and the highly debated mega auction system. It soon changed into a heated debate regarding the relevance and sustainability of the mega auction, and a huge divide among franchises became evident. Key Figures Raise Their Concerns It was inside a meeting on the fourth floor of the BCCI headquarters that some of the biggest names in the IPL ownership circle lambasted the mega auction. Shah Rukh Khan, owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kavya Maran were the most vocal against the mega auction, asking for it to be scrapped. Both teams were finalists in the IPL 2024 and hence, the owners argued that the present structure disrupts the continuity of a team, which is a precondition for brand building and the retention of fans’ interest. Tensions Flare Between KKR and PBKS Owners When it came to the process of retention, Shah Rukh Khan, as usual, got highly involved with KKR; an eyewitness said that Shah Rukh Khan was embroiled in a hot debate with Ness Wadia, Punjab Kings co-owner. It would go on to informed discussions, but Wadia later denied any personal vendetta and said all stakeholders’ interests needed to be taken into consideration. “I have known Shah Rukh for over 25 years. There is no animosity here,” said Wadia while outlining a solution fair for all franchises. SRH Supports KKR’s Stance Supporting the stance of KKR, Kavya Maran from SRH opined that smaller auctions perhaps was the way ahead considering the stress it was to have a balanced side with the existing system in place. Using Abhishek Sharma as an example, whose journey to consistency took years, she spoke of a developing story of times and investment required in young talent. Delhi Capitals Opposes To this end, on the other side of this argument, Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals responded to this by supporting the mega auction. He said, “having a mega auction makes it fair and keeps us competitive“. He further said he did not like the view to have the Impact Player rule continued as it hampers the development of allrounders in Indian cricket. Others on the franchisee level present for the meeting were Kiran Kumar Grandhi of Delhi Capitals, Sanjiv Goenka of Lucknow Super Giants, Rupa Gurunath of Chennai Super Kings, Manoj Badale of Rajasthan Royals and Prathmesh Mishra of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Some, such as Ambanis of Mumbai Indians, used video conferencing. BCCI Responds and the Future Steps Finally, after the deliberations, the BCCI released a statement admitting to the various views expressed by the franchise owners. The Board said that the inputs regarding player regulations and commercial matters, including central merchandising and licensing, would be taken up by the IPL Governing Council and reconsidered. Still Awaiting the Final Verdict As the cricketing world has to now wait and watch for the final decision of the BCCI, the mega auction further does go on to underline the complexities of balancing competition with the business interests for the diverse stakeholders associated with the IPL. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: The Overall Leading Medal Holders At The Games
The Paris Olympics 2024 has so far been a celebration of extraordinary talent and human spirit, having athletes from around the world as they compete for the ultimate glory. The same is the case with every edition of Olympics. Among these incredible individuals, one name shines brighter than the rest: Michael Phelps. This American swimmer is often referred to as the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) when it comes to Olympic achievements. Michael Phelps: The Greatest of All Time Michael Phelps’ story is one of relentless dedication and unmatched success. Over the course of five Olympic Games, starting from the 2000 Sydney Olympics and then in the 2016 Rio Games, Phelps amassed a jaw-dropping 28 Olympic medals. This record-breaking collection includes 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, making him the most decorated Olympian in history. His crowning moment came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he astonishingly won eight gold medals, setting the record for the most golds won at a single Summer Games. Larisa Latynina Phelps isn’t the only legend in Olympic history. Among female athletes, the former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina stands tall. Competing in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, Latynina won a total of 18 medals, including nine golds, five silvers, and four bronzes. Her achievements set the gold standard in gymnastics and remained unmatched until Phelps surpassed her record. Other Olympians And Their Records Other remarkable Olympians include Soviet gymnast Nikolay Andrianov, who earned 15 medals across three Games, and three athletes tied with 13 medals each: Soviet gymnast Boris Shakhlin, Italian fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, and Japanese gymnast Takashi Ono. These athletes have left an indelible mark on the history of the Olympics. The United States: A Dominant Force The United States leads the pack with an impressive total of over 3,000 Olympic medals, including 1,179 golds. The U.S. is followed by the Soviet Union with 1,204 medals (473 golds) and Germany with 1,058 medals (342 golds). The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Egyptian Fencer Nada Hafez Makes History by Competing at the Olympics Seven Months Pregnant
In the world of sports, extraordinary feats often come from the most unexpected places. This was certainly the case for Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez, who made headlines not just for her skills on the piste but for an incredible personal achievement. At the age of 26 and seven months pregnant, Hafez took part in the women’s sabre (fencing) competition at the Paris Olympics 2024, advancing to the round of 16. Hafez’s journey to the Olympics was already a remarkable one. Competing for Egypt, she was ranked 29th in the world and was her country’s top sabre fencer. But this time, her story was even more extraordinary. As she stood on the podium, she wasn’t alone; she was joined by her unborn child, who will one day surely hear tales of their mother’s incredible perseverance and strength. On Instagram, Hafez shared her emotional experience with her followers. “What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” she wrote, capturing the heartwarming essence of her journey. Hafez’s pregnancy journey was anything but typical. The rollercoaster of managing a demanding sport while carrying a child was a true test of resilience. Yet, Hafez remained steadfast, fighting through fatigue, shortness of breath, and the general discomfort of pregnancy. Her dedication bore fruit when she defeated American world No. 10 Elizabeth Tartakovsky in the round of 32 before narrowly losing to South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung. Reflecting on her Olympic experience, Hafez expressed a deep sense of pride. “This specific Olympics was different; Three times Olympian but this time carrying a little Olympian one!” she posted, her words tinged with pride and joy. This wasn’t just another Olympic appearance for Hafez; it was a poignant milestone in her life’s journey, marking a blend of athletic excellence and personal triumph. Hafez leaves Paris not just as a seasoned athlete but as a symbol of determination and the indomitable spirit of motherhood. As she prepares to welcome her little one into the world, the story of her incredible feat will surely inspire countless others, proving that with strength and passion, even the most extraordinary dreams can be realized. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Is Sanju Samson Caught Between Opportunities and Expectations?
Another opportunity, same old result. That’s how someone can probably describe Sanju Samson’s cricketing stint so far in the Indian jersey. Sanju Samson’s journey in T20I internationals has become a tale of missed opportunities and mounting pressure. Despite the fervent support from his fans and his long-standing presence in the Indian cricket circuit, Samson’s recent performances have left much to be desired. The stark reality of his recent innings—a golden duck followed by another zero in just four balls—has only intensified the debate about his place in the squad. A Decade In Indian Cricket Having been part of the Indian Cricket Team for nearly a decade, one would expect Samson to have made a more significant impact. Unfortunately, the numbers haven’t been kind to him. His struggle to secure a consistent spot in the playing XI is evident, with limited chances to prove his mettle. While he was benched throughout the T20 World Cup, the team’s success with Rishabh Pant in the XI did little to alleviate the mounting pressure on Samson. Misfiring With The Bat In the latest T20I series against Sri Lanka, Samson’s appearances have been underwhelming. He was dismissed for a duck in his second T20I and failed to make an impression in his subsequent opportunity. These setbacks have not only been disappointing for his fans but also challenging for Samson, who faces an uphill battle to secure his place in the team. Contrasting Fortunes In IPL Interestingly, Samson’s fortunes appear to be more favorable in the IPL. Leading the Rajasthan Royals, he consistently shows his skills and leadership. His performances in the IPL often shine brightly, a stark contrast to his T20I struggles. This disparity raises questions about the reasons behind his inconsistent performances when playing for the Indian Cricket Team. Despite his talent and occasional brilliance, Samson has struggled to replicate his IPL success in international matches. His one memorable knock—a century against South Africa in Paarl earlier this year—seems like a distant memory amidst his recent flops. For a player of his caliber, such inconsistencies are a cause for concern. Fierce Competition The competition for a place in the Indian Cricket Team is fierce, with players like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Jitesh Sharma all vying for the wicketkeeper position. In such a competitive environment, Samson’s challenges are not only with his performance but also with the pressure of competing against top-notch talent. Despite the challenges, Samson remains a cricketer who thrives in a supportive and relaxed environment. His ability to perform well when given a clear role and freedom to express himself has been evident in his IPL outings. However, replicating that form in international cricket remains a challenge. As Samson continues to navigate his career, the hope is that he will be granted the opportunity to showcase his true potential. With the right backing and a longer run in the team, there’s still a chance for him to rise to the occasion and solidify his place in the Indian cricketing lineup. For now, he remains a cricketer caught between the expectations of his fans and the harsh realities of international cricket. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Manika Batra; The Face of Indian Table Tennis
Manika Batra has made history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 in the singles competition at Paris Olympics 2024. The 29-year-old, known for her impressive skills and determination, showcased a dominant performance by defeating France’s higher-ranked Prithika Pavade 4-0. In a match filled with excitement, Manika clinched victory with game scores of 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, and 11-7. Her opponent, the 19-year-old Pavade, has Indian roots, as her parents originally hailed from Puducherry before moving to France in 2003. Her Journey Manika Batra’s story began in Delhi, where she grew up as the youngest of three siblings. Her love for table tennis was sparked at the young age of four, influenced by her elder sister Anchal and brother Sahil, who also played the sport. Recognizing her talent early on, she began training under coach Sandeep Gupta at Hans Raj Model School after winning a state-level under-8 tournament. Her career quickly took off, with a silver medal in the under-21 category at the 2011 Chile Open marking the start of her international journey. Manika represented India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2014 Asian Games, reaching the quarterfinals in both events. Her standout performance at the 2015 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, where she won silver in the women’s team and doubles events and bronze in singles. The Golden Moment One of the most defining moments of Manika’s career came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Leading India to a historic gold medal in the women’s team event, she helped the team defeat the previously dominant Singapore squad. Manika also brought home India’s first-ever silver medal in women’s doubles and a historic gold in singles, earning a total of four medals. Her success continued with a team gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, solidifying her place as one of India’s top table tennis players. Looking Forward Reaching the round of 16 at the Paris Olympics 2024 is a new high for Manika, surpassing her previous record at the Tokyo Games, where she was the first Indian women’s table tennis player to reach the round of 32 in singles. Achanta Sharath Kamal had also reached the same stage in the men’s singles at Tokyo. Currently ranked 28th in the world, Manika Batra has been making waves in the world of sports. In 2021, she won the WTT Contender Budapest mixed doubles and the WTT Contender Lasko women’s doubles. She competed in the inaugural WTT Grand Smash event in Singapore in 2022, reaching a career-high ranking of world number four in women’s doubles alongside Archana Girish Kamath. As Manika Batra sets her sights on the upcoming games at Paris Olympics 2024, the entire nation is proudly cheering her. Her dedication, skill and perseverance make her a formidable contender and a proud representative of Indian table tennis in front of the world. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye