Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

ESPNcricinfo staff
May 24, 2013

Gurunath Meiyappan, a top official of the Chennai Super Kings franchise and son-in-law of the BCCI president N Srinivasan, has been formally arrested by Mumbai Police on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud. The development, late on Friday night, is the most serious setback to the IPL in its six-year history and has serious implications for the BCCI as well given the names involved.

As of early Saturday morning there was no news of an emergency BCCI meeting but it is expected that events will move fast through the day, to discuss the issue of leadership - though Srinivasan insisted he would not step down - and also Chennai Super Kings` participation in the IPL final on Sunday.

Wish you all a Happy Vesak Festival!
May you find peace and harmony!

IPL news

Three IPL players arrested for fraud, cheating - Delhi police
ESPNcricinfo staff
May 16, 2013

Delhi Police has said it arrested Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan - all Rajasthan Royals bowlers - for the alleged fulfilling of promises made to alleged bookmakers during this year`s IPL. The players were allegedly promised money ranging from US$36,000 to 109,000 for each over. Eleven bookies have also been arrested. One of the middlemen has been identified as Jiju Janardhan, described by the police as Sreesanth`s close friend and team-mate at the Ernakulam club.

They are young innovators, disruptors, thought leaders and builders of businesses. Echelon`s May issue features 40 of the most influential young people in business in Sri Lanka. The May issue featuring the 40 under 40 .............

Andrew Fidel Fernando
May 7, 2013

Pic : File photo - The teams include two players from Jaffna ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Three young cricketers from Sri Lanka`s war-affected regions have been named in the squads scheduled to participate in a one-day tri-series, which aims to prepare Sri Lanka`s national side for the Champions Trophy. Fast bowler S Silojen and wicketkeeper Rishan Tudor, both 19, have been named in the Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Combined sides respectively, while top order batsman S Sanjeewan, 21, has been picked for Sri Lanka A.

ESPNcricinfo staff
May 2, 2013

Sri Lanka`s Champions Trophy squad

Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga, Sachithra Senanayake, Chanaka Welagedara

In: Chanaka Welegedara, Mahela Jayawardene, Rangana Herath

Out: Upul Tharanga, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Perera, Sachith Pathirana

The Report by Siddhartha Talya
April 23, 2013

Royal Challengers Bangalore 263 for 5 (Gayle 175*) beat Pune Warriors 133 (Smith 41, Gayle 2-5) by 130 runs

pic: Chris Gayle brought Pune Warriors to their knees with one of the most destructive innings ever played BCCI

Chris Gayle can shatter dreams. Ask Ishwar Pandey, the highest wicket-taker in this year`s Ranji Trophy, who got smashed for 21 in his first over this IPL. Ask Mitchell Marsh, whose decent run with the ball this tournament was blown out of his memory, with his first over going for 28. Ask Aaron Finch, the third captain for Pune Warriors this season, who bowled an over hoping to restrict Gayle but didn`t bowl again after being blasted for 29. Ask Ali Murtaza, a specialist left-arm spinner thrown into the deep end in his first game this season, only to be hammered for 28 in his over.

pic:The Robin Uthappa of old was on display against Rajasthan Royals BCCI

One of the biggest mysteries of the IPL is how did Pune Warriors manage to lose 11 games on the trot with such an impressive squad. Probably on par in mysteriousness is how Mumbai Indians have not been able to win a single IPL title with some of the biggest names on their rosters, both playing and non-playing. While Mumbai Indians have made it to the knockouts for the previous three seasons before stumbling, Warriors` string of defeats - an IPL record - had become self-perpetuating in a way.

Andrew Fidel Fernando
April 12, 2013

pic: Kumar Sangakkara talks to the Mullaitivu Combined Schools team before their first match in the Murali Cup Thusith Wijedoru / Murali Cup

Not far south of the town of Mankulam, six boys are playing a neighbourhood match. All are dark and scrawny, none older than 12. The smallest of them takes guard in front of stumps improvised from a strip of reconstituted wood and propped up by old bricks. He grips his bat near the bottom of the crudely fashioned handle, and taps it on the ground as the bowler, a much taller kid with dangling arms, begins his approach. The run-up is rhythmic and the action smooth, but he has overpitched on where off stump would be. The batsman plants his front foot, raising a small cloud of red dust, then swings and connects. A forceful bottom hand helps the ball over mid-on, for four.

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

Samir Chopra

pic: For the most part Anglo-Saxon bowlers have a bustling, compact efficiency in their actions Getty Images

Some 15 or so years ago, as I watched Pakistan`s then latest fast-bowling find, Mohammad Akram, bowl against India in the 1997 Toronto one-day internationals, I remarked to a friend - then chatting online with me - that Akram`s smooth action was quite distinctive. Indeed, I suggested, it was even `non-subcontinental`.

The Preview by Rachna Shetty
April 8, 2013

With two wins in two games, including the remarkable Super Over victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, Sunrisers Hyderabad have begun IPL 2013 well. Their consistency will be tested once again in a rematch of that thrilling game, this time in Bangalore.

For one, they will have to adjust quickly to a pitch that`s different from the sluggish surface in Hyderabad. The Chinnaswamy track is far more conducive to pace and movement, and while that could give Sunrisers an advantage - with their attack of Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma and Thisara Perera - it could also expose the weaknesses in their batting early on. Perera`s and Hanuma Vihari`s innings aside, the Sunrisers have had no other contributions of note in their matches so far.

The Preview by Rachna Shetty
April 6, 2013

pic:Can Dale Steyn keep Chris Gayle in check? BCCI

Heading into their first away match of IPL 2013, Royal Challengers Bangalore may start favourites but Sunrisers Hyderabad, with a victory as well in their opening game, showed they can be tough and determined opponents.
How formidable the Sunrisers` challenge will be depends largely on their batting order. With the exception of Thisara Perera, nobody really managed to take charge of the innings after getting a start. Against Royal Challengers, they will be tested against a stronger bowling attack.

The Preview by Devashish Fuloria
April 5, 2013

pic:Rahul Dravid will play his first match in almost a year AFP

The first couple of matches are always about getting the ball rolling in a long tournament where the teams go through cycles of form and they are important in helping team management take an uncomplicated view. Rajasthan Royals open their season with a clean slate when they take on a depleted home side, Delhi Daredevils, who had an insipid outing in Kolkata in the first match of the tournament.

The Preview by Vishal Dikshit
April 4, 2013

pic: Angelo Mathews will be Pune Warriors` third captain in three years AFP

After the top two teams of last year`s points table kicked-off the carnival on Wednesday, the bottom two will meet in Hyderabad on Friday. While the host city has a new team - Sunrisers Hyderabad - led by the same captain Kumar Sangakkara, Pune Warriors have a new captain - Angelo Mathews - after Michael Clarke was ruled out of the entire season.

Sunrisers will feel the absence of an in-from Shikhar Dhawan, who was Deccan Chargers` leading run-scorer last season. After retaining 20 players from the Chargers, Sunrisers revamped their leadership, bringing together Tom Moody and Sangakkara, who had worked together as coach and captain for Sri Lanka. They also have overseas pace options in Dale Steyn and Clint McKay, and allrounders Darren Sammy and Thisara Perera, but only Steyn picks himself.

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya
April 3, 2013

pic: Lasith Malinga will miss the opening game for Mumbai Indians AFP

How loyalties and allegiances change in the IPL. Anil Kumble`s association with Royal Challengers Bangalore was long and high-profile, as a player, captain, and mentor. He is known to have played a critical role in team strategy, selections, auction picks, all for a team representing his hometown. He is in the opposing camp now, hired by Mumbai Indians as their team mentor, and will have to plot against a side he helped strengthen over five seasons on his home ground.