Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Dhawan, Kishan make short work of Sri Lanka's total

Dhawan, Kishan make short work of Sri Lanka's total

SKIPPER Shikhar Dhawan and debutant Ishan Kishan hit half-centuries as India hammered Sri Lanka by seven wickets on Sunday (18) in the first one-day international of a series delayed by the coronavirus.

Chasing 263 for victory, India depended on Dhawan's 33rd ODI half-century, fellow opener Prithvi Shaw's 24-ball 43 and an attacking 59 by Kishan to gallop to their target in just 36.4 overs and lead the three-match series in Colombo.


Shaw was named ‘man of the match’ for getting India off to a flying start. The left-handed Dhawan then kept up the momentum with big partnerships with Kishan, who turned 23 on Sunday (18), Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav, who made an unbeaten 31.

"It was good to be on the other end and watch Prithvi and Ishan. I was telling them to take it easy actually," Dhawan said after the win.

"The way these young boys play in the IPL (Indian Premier League), they get lots of exposure and they just finished the game in the first 15 overs only."

Kishan and Yadav - both IPL stars for champions Mumbai Indians - are part of an up and coming talent in the Indian limited-overs side while Virat Kohli's Test squad is in England awaiting a five-match series in August and September.

Shaw, who has been acclaimed as one of India's brightest but most unpredictable talents, lost his wicket to Dhananjaya de Silva after getting hit on the helmet in the previous over.

The left-handed Kishan, a wicketkeeper-batsman, started his ODI career with a six and then hit three successive boundaries off de Silva. He scored his fifty with a boundary before a thin edge saw him falling to Lakshan Sandakan.

Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, lost wickets regularly after electing to bat first but number eight Chamika Karunaratne's quickfire 43 lifted the side to 262 for nine in 50 overs.

"The Indians batted aggressively. We needed to vary the pace as the ball was coming on to the bat nicely," said Shanaka. "In the next game, we will have to improve on that."

India pace bowler Deepak Chahar, spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each.

The limited-overs series that also includes three Twenty20 matches was rescheduled and the original start date of July 13 was pushed back by five days due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Sri Lankan camp following batting coach Grant Flower's positive test on return from their tour of England.

Sri Lanka, who had already been hit hard by the suspension of three players including Kusal Mendis and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the team's bio-bubble in England, suffered an injury blow after captain Kusal Perera was ruled out of the series.

The next match will be played on Tuesday (20).

More For You

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh’s scooter ride: A viral internet hit!

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh share the stage, creating musical magic together.

Instagram/arijitsingh

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh’s scooter ride: A viral internet hit!

When two of the world’s most beloved singers come together, magic happens. Ed Sheeran, the global pop sensation, and Arijit Singh, India’s soulful voice, recently made headlines for their viral scooter ride through the streets of Jiaganj, Arijit’s hometown in West Bengal. The video of their casual outing has taken the internet by storm, with fans calling it the “most wholesome moment ever.”

In the viral clip, Arijit is seen driving the scooter while Ed enjoys the ride as a pillion passenger. The duo, accompanied by a few friends on other scooters, ditched heavy security and opted for the real small-town vibe. Their adventure didn’t stop there though, they also took a quiet boat ride along the Bhagirathi River enjoying the quiet beauty of Jiaganj like a true local.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rohit-Sharma-BCCI

Rohit brought up his 32nd ODI hundred with a six off Rashid but was dismissed soon after, caught by Rashid off a Livingstone full toss. (Photo: BCCI)

Rohit’s century powers India to ODI series win over England

INDIA secured the ODI series against England with a four-wicket win in the second match on Sunday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the Champions Trophy. Captain Rohit Sharma led the chase with a 90-ball 119, helping India reach the 305-run target in 44.3 overs.

A floodlight failure delayed India’s innings for 30 minutes, but it did not affect Rohit, who struck seven sixes and 12 fours. Earlier, England posted 304 all out with one ball remaining, opting to bat first at Barabati Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi-Macron

Modi and Macron will also hold discussions in restricted and delegation-level formats and address the India-France CEO’s Forum. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

Modi meets Macron and JD Vance in Paris

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by French president Emmanuel Macron at a dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Macron greeted Modi with a hug as they met on Monday.

"Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris," Modi posted on X.

Keep ReadingShow less
Saif Ali Khan’s first interview since home invasion: What he revealed amid controversy & conspiracy theories

Saif Ali Khan opens up about the harrowing night he fought off an armed intruder in his Mumbai home

Saif Ali Khan’s first interview since home invasion: What he revealed amid controversy & conspiracy theories

In a shocking turn of events, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan found himself in a real-life thriller when an armed intruder broke into his Mumbai residence in the dead of night. What was supposed to be just another peaceful evening in the Khan household turned into a night of horror, leaving Saif with multiple injuries and raising serious questions about celebrity security in India.

It all began when Saif, in his kurta-pyjama, heard unusual noises near his son Jeh’s room. What followed was a violent struggle with an intruder armed with two knives. “I didn’t realise it was a knife at first,” Saif recalled. “There was too much adrenaline. He was slashing at my neck, and I was blocking it with my hands. My palms, wrists, and arms were cut, but I didn’t feel the pain immediately.”

Speaking to Times of India, the actor shared how his quick reflexes and the sharp presence of mind of his househelp, Geeta, saved the day. “I was praying someone would get him off me,” Saif admitted. “Geeta was incredible. She shoved him away, and we managed to close the door.”

Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan sprang into action, ensuring their children, Taimur and Jeh, were safe. “Kareena was shouting, ‘Take the kid out!’” Saif shared. “She got Jeh out of harm’s way while I was still grappling with the intruder.”

What makes this story even more astonishing is the extent of Saif’s injuries. A knife had penetrated his back, nicking his spinal cord and causing spinal fluid to leak. “The doctors said it was a millimetre away from paralysis,” Saif revealed. “It’s a miracle I can walk.”

Despite the severity of his wounds, Saif remained remarkably composed. “I told Kareena, ‘I’m fine. I’m not going to die.’ Taimur asked me the same thing, and I reassured him too,” he said. The family’s decision to take an autorickshaw to the hospital made the situation feel all the more unreal. “The rickshaw driver saw the blood but stayed calm. He even took shortcuts to avoid bumps,” Saif recalled with a laugh.

While the physical scars are healing, the emotional impact lingers. Saif’s children have reacted in their own ways. “Jeh gave me a plastic sword and said, ‘Keep this by your bed for the next time the chor comes,’” Saif shared with a chuckle. Taimur, ever the composed one, has shown concern about security but remains unfazed.

As for the intruder, Saif harbours no hatred. “Taimur said he should be forgiven because he might have been hungry,” Saif said. “I understand desperation, but he crossed a line when he tried to kill me.”

Saif’s ordeal has sparked debates about celebrity security and urban safety. Yet, the actor remains unfazed. “I don’t believe in walking around with bodyguards. This wasn’t a targeted attack; it was a burglary gone wrong,” he insisted.

“It’s brought us closer as a family,” he admitted. “Kareena has been incredibly strong, and the kids have shown maturity beyond their years.”

This horrifying incident is more than just a celebrity scare rather, it’s a wake-up call. If someone as high-profile as Saif Ali Khan can be targeted in his own home, what does that say about the safety of the common citizen? The conversation around home security, particularly for public figures, is one that can no longer be ignored.

And if there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s this: never underestimate a man in a kurta-pyjama. Especially if his name is Saif Ali Khan!

Keep ReadingShow less