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Ranatunga cries foul on India ‘B team’ tour, slams board for hosting series

Arjuna Ranatunga slammed the Sri Lanka Cricket on Friday for agreeing to host series with India’s B-team and said the second-string coming to the island is an insult to their cricket. India’s team led by Shikhar Dhawan arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday under the command of team’s new head coach Rahul Dravid

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Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga slammed the Sri Lanka Cricket Board on Friday for agreeing to host a limited-overs series with India’s B-team. Attacking the country’s sports minister Namal Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Cricket Board, he said the tour undermined the country’s dignity.

Former Sri Lankan captain said the second-string coming to the island for a limited-overs series is an insult to their cricket.

India’s team led by Shikhar Dhawan arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday to prepare for the three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games that start July 13. All the matches will be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Former India cricketer and current chief of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Rahul Dravid has arrived in Sri Lanka as head coach since Ravi Shastri is with Kohli’s side in England.

With Virat Kohli-led full-strength Indian team is currently in England for a five-match Test series, Shikhar Dhawan is set to lead a young Indian team that has been sent to Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series.

Ranatunga told reporters at his residence that this is a second string Indian team and their coming in Sri Lanka is an insult of cricket. For which he blamed the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs.  He also said that the board wants to make money from this tournament even if it means pitching Sri Lankan players against a B team.

Apart from Kohli, the other big names, who are not a part of the Sri Lanka tour are Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant – all of them are in England for the Test series, which is due to begin on August 4 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

However, the Dhawan-led side does include limited-overs regular faces in Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, along with a few fresh faces like Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chetan Sakariya.

Ranatunga, who was the head of an interim committee appointed in 2007-08, said the indiscipline showed by some Sri Lankan players was also due to poor management. He also pointed out the current poor performance of the Sri Lankan cricket team in international cricket. Sri Lanka recently suffered their fifth consecutive T20I series loss when they went 3-0 down to England last month.

Read Also: UAE bans travel to 14 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Recently, the SLC was forced to send three senior players back home from England for breaching the bio-secure bubble protocol. Vice-captain Kusal Mendis, opener Danushka Gunathilaka, and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella were withdrawn from the current England tour after they violated the Covid-19 bio-secure bubble. And they are also expected to be dropped from the India series.

In other India News, Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, who is out on parole, released from Tihar jail on Friday after completing the formalities of his release. He has released after serving a 10-year term following a conviction in a teachers recruitment scam.

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Who is Praful Hinge? Young pacer who made instant impact with match-turning IPL debut spell

Praful Hinge grabbed attention with a three-wicket over on his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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Praful Hinge bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL

Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.

His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Domestic cricket background

Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.

While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.

Bowling style and strengths

Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:

  • Maintaining a disciplined line and length
  • Ability to generate movement off the pitch
  • Effectiveness in short, impactful spells

His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.

Breakthrough IPL moment

Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.

A promising start

Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.

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At 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi eyes India debut, could surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may soon make his India debut after a standout IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals.

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Rising cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is reportedly on the verge of earning his first senior India call-up following an impressive run in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old batter has been shortlisted for the upcoming India tour of Ireland, according to multiple reports.

The young Rajasthan Royals player has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about talents this season, delivering impactful performances that have caught the attention of selectors.

Strong performances boost selection chances

Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting in IPL 2026 has played a key role in pushing his case for national selection. Representing Rajasthan Royals, the teenager has consistently taken on top bowlers with confidence, showcasing both aggressive stroke play and maturity beyond his age.

Reports suggest he is among several young players being monitored for India’s Ireland tour, with selectors looking to test emerging talent in a relatively shorter series.

Could become youngest India debutant

If selected and given an opportunity, Sooryavanshi could script history by becoming one of the youngest players to represent India at the international level. At just 15, he would surpass long-standing age records set by former greats like Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16.

The potential milestone has added further excitement around the youngster, whose rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket has been closely followed by fans and experts alike.

Future tours also on radar

Apart from the Ireland series, reports indicate that Sooryavanshi could also be considered for other upcoming assignments later in 2026, including a possible tour of Zimbabwe. His consistent performances and fearless approach have made him a strong contender for continued inclusion in India’s plans.

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Guwahati weather poses threat to RR vs MI blockbuster as rain delays toss

The IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians faces a delay as the Guwahati weather brings persistent rain to the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

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Guwahati weather

The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) has hit a weather hurdle. Scheduled to take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the toss for Match 13 has been officially delayed due to persistent rain in the city.

Rain intensifies at Barsapara Stadium

The Guwahati weather has taken a turn for the worse as heavy drizzle forced the groundstaff to keep the pitch and square under covers. While the rain had momentarily eased, allowing for a brief inspection, it returned shortly after, frustrating both fans and players. According to media reports, the probability of rain during match hours has surged to nearly 50%, a significant increase from earlier forecasts.

Cut-off time and over reductions

As the clock ticks, the pressure on the match officials increases. Overs were scheduled to start being reduced from 8:40 PM IST. For those hoping for at least a shortened game, the cut-off time for a minimum five-over-a-side contest has been established at 10:56 PM IST. The city remains under a weather alert, with cloud cover expected to be a major factor throughout the evening.

High-stakes encounter on hold

Rajasthan Royals enter this game with a perfect record, having won their first two matches of the season. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are looking to bounce back after a mixed start. A key highlight of this match is the potential battle between 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the experienced Jasprit Bumrah.

Historically, the two teams share a fierce rivalry, with Mumbai holding a slight edge with 16 wins compared to Rajasthan’s 14 in their 31 previous meetings.

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