Colombo, July 30 (IANS) Sri Lanka have named Charith Asalanka as captain, replacing Kusal Mendis ahead of the three-match series against India, starting on August 2. Asalanka was earlier appointed as the T20I captain after Wanindu Hasaranga stepped down from the role following Sri Lanka’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Asalanka’s promotion to T20I captain was anticipated following Hasaranga’s resignation, but the change in ODI leadership was somewhat surprising, especially given that Mendis had held the position for a short time. Under Mendis’ captaincy, Sri Lanka won six of the eight completed ODIs including five consecutive home matches against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, but lost 2-1 away to Bangladesh.

Nonetheless, Asalanka has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent ODI batters, boasting an average of 43.59 and a strike rate of 90 across 52 innings. Test batter Nishan Madushka, 24, has received his maiden ODI call-up. Additionally, Akila Dananjaya and Chamika Karunaratne have been recalled to the squad.

Seamers Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando, who were added to the T20I squad after the exclusions of Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara, will also feature in the ODI series. Left arm spinning allrounder Dunith Wellalage has been included as well.

The remainder of the squad is largely as expected. Chameera remains sidelined due to illness, and Thushara is out with a fractured thumb. Alongside Madushanka and Asitha, Matheesha Pathirana is the only other specialist seamer, which is reasonable given that the Stadium in Colombo, where the matches will be held, is known for its spin-friendly conditions.

Consequently, Lahiru Kumara and Pramod Madushan, who played in Sri Lanka’s recent ODI series against Bangladesh, have not been selected.

In terms of spin options, Sri Lanka have a wealth of choices with Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dananjaya, and Wellalage available. Kamindu Mendis and Asalanka can also contribute part-time spin.

The top order is expected to include Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Mendis. Kusal Perera, despite some strong recent T20 performances, has not been included. The middle order will likely feature Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, and Kamindu Mendis, with captain Asalanka likely batting at No. 5.

Sri Lanka squad for ODIs against India: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

–IANS

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Paris, July 30 (IANS) India boxer Amit Panghal was knocked out of the Paris Olympics after losing to Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba 1-4 on points in the 51kg Round of 16 bout here on Tuesday. The 2019 world championship silver medallist faced considerable pressure from the energetic Zambian, the reigning African Games champion, right from the opening round.

Panghal’s defensive strategy proved costly as the third-seeded Chinyemba took on the role of aggressor in the first three minutes. The seasoned boxer, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022, could not get going against his third-seeded opponent and went down 29-28, 27-28, 28-29, 27-30, 28-29.

Trailing on three cards in split decision in the first rounds, Panghal came out aggressively but struggled to land his punches, The judges gave the second round too to Chinyemba.

Both boxers had significant exchanges in the last three minutes, with Panghal trying to exert pressure. But the Indian was not able to persuade the judges as all five ruled in favour of the Zambian. For Panghal, the defeat brought back memories of his early elimination from the Tokyo Olympics.

–IANS

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Chateauroux (France), July 30 (IANS) The 2024 Paris Olympics has been a breakthrough event and life-changing experience for Manu Bhaker as she broke many records for India, contributing to both the medals India has won in the event so far. Manu who shot some good scores till then, managed 9.4 with her final shot but Sarabjot salvaged the situation for India with a clutch 10.2 to seal victory as the Koreans managed scores in the 9s.

Following her victory alongside Sarabjot in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, Bhaker took time out to speak with IANS and revealed what her thoughts were before her game-winning shots in the bronze medal match.

“I have always been nervous before the matches, that is me I will always be nervous before matches but in the moment of the final shot, I was nervous but I was just thinking of how God has protected me till here and he will keep protecting further. Just try your best however it goes, keep following your technique, keep giving your best effort in every shot and just believe,” Bhaker told IANS in an interview on Tuesday.

The Manu-Sarbajot pair defeated South Korea 16-10 in the intense bronze medal match breaking an array of records by becoming the first Indian team to win a medal at any shooting event in the Games.

However, the spotlight was on Manu for a completely different reason as she became the first Indian to win multiple medals in one Olympic campaign post-independence. She revealed how ‘grateful’ she was to have achieved the tremendous feat.

“I feel great, really nice and I am truly grateful for the two beauties on my neck (medals) but my journey is not over yet, I have another match to shoot so I am focusing on that now,” added the 22-year-old.

Bhaker will now take part in the qualification event for the women’s 25m pistol event which will take place on August 2 in her bid to become the first Indian to win three Olympic medals in individual events. She also took the time to acknowledge the upcoming event and revealed what her plan would be at the event.

“The plans will always be to not give up, try to put in your best effort and to keep going on so that will be my gameplan in the next match also but nobody can control the results so let’s see how it goes and just pray for me,” she concluded.

–IANS

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Pallekele, July 30 (IANS) Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first against India in the inconsequential third and final T20I of the series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday. India have rested Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh for the match as they have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said they have made one change in the side.

“We are going to bowl first. Looks like a dry pitch. There was a batting collapse, when the ball gets older it’s a bit harder to bat. We have planned a little bit differently. One change, Wickramasinghe comes in for Shanaka,” he said at the toss.

On the other hand, India made four changes in their playing eleven to give match time for other squad members.

“Would’ve liked to chase as well with the weather around. Becomes difficult for the bowling team to control the ball later. We have 4 guys resting — Hardik, Axar, Rishabh and Arshdeep. We spoke about the brand of cricket we want to play and it’s about topping it up every game and being the best version of ourselves,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.

Playing XIs:

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal supporter of Indian athletes across sports over the years. From hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team to bidding the athletes farewell for the Paris Olympics, he has been a pillar of support for all sportspersons representing the country.

Following Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh’s historic bronze medal in the 10 m Air Pistol Mixed Team event in the shooting competition in Chateauroux, France, PM Modi spoke to Sarabjot to congratulate him for his achievement.

“Congratulations Sarabjot, you have brought pride and honour to the country and your hard work has paid off. Please wish Manu from my side too. You just missed out in the individual round but did it in the mixed team round. The way you and Manu have performed has been brilliant, what’s the secret behind your teamwork?” PM Modi asked Sarabjot during their phone conversation.

Sarabjot replied. “We have been together since the 2019 nationals, Junior World Cup and other tournaments and have won gold medals on a number of occasions. I hope to perform better next time and will try my best to bring a gold medal for the country.”

This was Sarabjot’s first medal in what was his debut in the quadrennial event, joining the illustrious group of RVS Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, and Manu Bhaker all of whom have won medals for India at the Olympic Games.

Manu’s historic campaign in the Paris Olympics keeps on breaking more records. She started off by becoming the first woman to win a medal in shooting and followed it by becoming the first athlete to win two medals in the same campaign post India’s independence. She and Sarabjot also became the first Indian shooters to win a medal in a team event at the Olympics.

However, Manu’s journey has not ended yet as the 22-year-old still has one more event to play in Paris 2024, the Women’s 25 m Pistol event.

“Manu has to prepare for the 25 meter as well, wish her all the best from my side and I want to congratulate both of you one last time and wish all Indian athletes from my side, Jai Hind,” concluded the Prime Minister.

–IANS

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