COLOMBO: India’s preparations for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka have suffered a fresh setback after captain Shubman Gill was forced to miss the opening day of a three-day warm-up match due to a finger injury. Gill sustained an injury to his right-hand finger during a practice session on Thursday, prompting the Indian team management to take a cautious approach. The Test captain was rested for the first day of the warm-up fixture against a Sri Lanka XI as the medical team continues to monitor his condition. The development immediately raised concerns over Gill’s availability for the Test series, although there is currently no indication that he will miss the opening match. In Gill’s absence, vice-captain KL Rahul took charge of the Indian side. Rahul’s experience will be particularly valuable as India look to make the most of their final preparation ahead of the two-Test series. Recent reports also confirmed that Rahul led India at the toss after Gill was ruled out of the opening day. The Indian camp is already dealing with a lengthy injury list. Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Test series with a knee problem, while Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are also unavailable because of different injuries. Gill’s fitness will therefore be closely watched over the next two days. According to the team’s medical update, a decision on whether he will return to the warm-up match will be made after further assessment. India are scheduled to begin their two-Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 in Galle, with the second Test set to be played in Colombo from August 23. For India, the priority is clear: avoid taking unnecessary risks with their captain now and ensure Gill is fully fit when the real contest begins. The latest setback adds another layer of uncertainty to an already injury-hit Indian squad, making Gill’s recovery one of the biggest talking points ahead of the series.

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricket team spinners Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan have expressed confidence in the side’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games, saying consistency will be the key to turning strong performances into results. Speaking during the team’s training camp in Lahore, Sandhu said the squad was preparing specifically for different opponents while working to improve every aspect of its game. Pakistan’s spinners could have a particularly important role to play in the UAE, where the conditions are expected to suit slow bowling. Sandhu said the team was focused on adapting its plans according to opponents and match situations rather than relying on a single approach. “We prepare according to every opponent,” Sandhu said, stressing the importance of maintaining consistency during crucial moments. The spinner acknowledged that Pakistan have sometimes produced encouraging performances without being able to finish matches strongly. The team, she said, was working to address those lapses and build greater consistency in areas where it has already shown promise. India matches, meanwhile, bring an added level of pressure. Sandhu said players prepare carefully for such contests because the team that handles pressure better on match day often gains the advantage. Tuba Hassan also highlighted the importance of preparing for conditions in Dubai. According to the leg-spinner, Pakistani players are familiar with the UAE environment, but training specifically for those conditions remains essential before the tournament begins. She said the team was concentrating on reducing mistakes, particularly because small errors can have a major impact in T20 cricket. Training sessions are being designed around different match situations, including pressure scenarios, to help players make better decisions when the stakes are high. Tuba also revealed that coach Wahab Riaz has been challenging players with different situations during practice, aiming to prepare them for the demands of international matches. The leg-spinner admitted that Pakistan still face a psychological hurdle when playing against top-ranked sides, despite having competed strongly against leading teams in the past. She argued that more bilateral series against the world’s top four teams would help Pakistan bridge the gap and develop greater confidence. The experience of players competing abroad could also prove valuable. Tuba said Fatima Sana had shared lessons from her stint in The Hundred with teammates, offering the squad insight into playing at a high level overseas. With the Asia Cup and Asian Games ahead, Pakistan’s women’s team will hope that improved preparation, greater consistency and exposure to elite opposition can translate into stronger results. For the spinners, the message is clear: Pakistan have the ability to challenge the best — but now they must learn to finish the job.

Sri Lanka’s athletics scene has a new rising star. At just 23, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has established himself as one of the most exciting young javelin throwers in the world. Tharanga’s remarkable 2026 season has already included a 92.62-metre national record, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, multiple Diamond League victories and a World Championships final appearance. His latest achievement came at the Lausanne Diamond League, where he edged India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra by just nine centimetres. From cricket to javelin Born on March 21, 2003, in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, Tharanga initially dreamed of making a career in cricket. He developed into a promising fast bowler and reportedly reached speeds of around 134 kilometres per hour as a teenager. His father’s involvement in throwing events eventually encouraged him to explore athletics. Tharanga first tried discus before turning his attention to javelin while studying at St Peter’s College in Colombo. His cricket background helped him develop explosive movement, speed and coordination — qualities that later became important parts of his javelin technique. Rapid rise in athletics Tharanga represented Sri Lanka at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, gaining valuable international experience. By 2025, he had moved beyond the status of a promising prospect. He became the first Sri Lankan male javelin thrower to reach a World Athletics Championships final and finished seventh with a throw of 84.38 metres. His progress accelerated dramatically the following year. Breaking the 90-metre mark At the Rome Diamond League in 2026, Tharanga produced the biggest throw of his career, sending the javelin 92.62 metres. The effort set a new Sri Lankan national record and placed him among the world’s elite throwers. It also put him close to Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, whose 92.97-metre throw won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Crossing the 90-metre barrier marked a major milestone. Tharanga had firmly established himself as a serious contender at the highest level of international javelin. Commonwealth Games champion Tharanga carried that momentum into the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he faced a star-studded field that included Chopra, Nadeem, Anderson Peters and Keshorn Walcott. He produced a huge 89.75-metre throw to claim the gold medal. Chopra finished second, while India’s Yash Vir Singh secured bronze. The victory gave Sri Lanka a major javelin success and further raised Tharanga’s profile on the international stage. Narrow win over Neeraj Chopra The rivalry with Chopra continued at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. Tharanga opened the competition with an 85.99-metre throw before improving to 87.06 metres with his second attempt. Chopra responded with an 88.05-metre throw, his season’s best at the time, and briefly moved into first place. Tharanga answered immediately. His third attempt travelled 88.14 metres, putting him back in the lead and securing the victory. The nine-centimetre margin highlighted just how closely matched the two athletes were. Lausanne Diamond League standings: 1. 🇱🇰 Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage — 88.14m 2. 🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra — 88.05m 3. 🇬🇩 Anderson Peters — 86.69m 4. 🇹🇹 Keshorn Walcott — 83.71m 5. 🇺🇸 Marc Anthony Minichello — 80.06m The Lausanne victory added another important chapter to Tharanga’s breakthrough season and strengthened his position among the leading javelin throwers in the world. A new South Asian rivalry For years, South Asian javelin focused largely on the rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem. Tharanga’s rapid emergence has added another major contender from the region. His 92.62-metre national record demonstrates his enormous throwing ability, while his Commonwealth Games gold and Diamond League victories show that he can perform when the pressure is highest. At only 23, Tharanga still has considerable room to develop. Sri Lanka’s rising athletics star Tharanga’s success carries significance beyond javelin. Sri Lanka has long enjoyed a strong sporting identity through cricket, but his achievements are bringing renewed attention to the country’s athletics programme. His journey from teenage fast bowler to Commonwealth champion and Diamond League winner also highlights the unpredictable paths that can lead athletes to international success. With a 92.62-metre personal best, major titles already on his record and growing experience against the world’s best, Tharanga appears to have established himself as one of the leading young names in men’s javelin. At 23, his biggest achievements may still lie ahead.

DARWIN: Bangladesh’s stunning nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin has not only delivered a landmark moment for the team but also lifted them above India in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings. Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test victory over Australia, doing so on Australian soil in a result that sent a strong message across the Test cricket world. The win also produced a significant shift in the World Test Championship points table. Australia remain at the top despite suffering their second defeat of the current cycle, holding a points percentage of 77.78. South Africa are second with 75 per cent, while New Zealand sit third on 72.22 per cent. Bangladesh have now climbed to fourth place with an impressive 66.67 per cent, moving ahead of India, who are fifth with 48.15 per cent. The result gives Bangladesh an important boost as they continue their WTC campaign and adds even greater significance to their historic success in Darwin. Sri Lanka occupy sixth position with 41.67 per cent, followed by England on 24.36 per cent. Pakistan are eighth with 22.22 per cent, while the West Indies remain ninth on 20.83 per cent. For Bangladesh, the victory represents more than just two points or a rise in the rankings. It marks their first Test triumph against Australia and could become one of the defining results of their current World Test Championship campaign. WTC Standings Details Bangladesh Position: 4th place Bangladesh Points Percentage: 66.67% (3 wins from 5 matches) India Position: 5th place India Points Percentage: 48.15% (4 wins from 9 Tests) Historic Milestone: Marked Bangladesh’s first Test win on Australian soil.