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Wrestling One-Tonne Covers: Saluting the Unsung Heroes of Galle

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Ground staff working tirelessly at the Galle International cricket stadium ( PC- Debasis Sen, RevSportz) The glitz and glamour of international cricket usually belong to the players wielding the willow or sending down thunderbolts. But during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS), the real MVPs weren’t wearing national colours; they were sprinting onto the outfield carrying heavy tarpaulins. With four frustrating rain stoppages disrupting the first three days of play, this Test match could easily have been washed out. Instead, it was saved by the relentless hustle and grit of the GICS groundstaff. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stands apart in the global game for its visionary approach to weather management – covering the entire field of play. This revolutionary concept actually originated here in Galle before being adapted by other venues around the world. Thanks to this foresight, a wet outfield is rarely an excuse for abandonment in...
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India Lose Four Wickets, but Lead Swells to 294 Runs

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PC- Debasis Sen, RevSportz India went to lunch on Day 4 with a lead of 294 runs. The start was underwhelming — Yashasvi Jaiswal falling to a cut shot against Asitha Fernando and perishing for a duck in the very first over.   Devdutt Padikkal came to the crease and carried forward the confidence of his first-innings hundred. KL Rahul, though, initially got stuck at the other end before using the sweep shot well against the spinners and upping the ante. The opener had survived on review after hitting a six off Prabath Jayasuriya. He had started to walk, but Padikkal called him back and insisted on going for a review. The extra bounce saved Rahul.   The Indian team vice-captain was getting into a rhythm. When in flow, he is easy on the eye, and the way he hit a four through mid-wicket off Jayasuriya, going down on one knee, was gorgeous. A rush of blood followed and Rahul was holed out next ball.   From India’s perspective, acceleration is the need of the hour, and de...
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Phil Simmons: “Bangladesh team wanted to leave a recognition that we are a good Test team who can play good Test cricket”

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Phil Simmons ( PC- X) In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Phil Simmons, head coach of the Bangladesh men’s national cricket team, reflected on the team’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test in Darwin. Simmons spoke about the significance of the landmark win, the team’s celebrations and what the result meant to the players, including Mushfiqur Rahim, as well as the entire nation of Bangladesh. He also shared how Bangladesh is planning to approach the final Test against Australia while ensuring the team remains in control of their emotions and grounded after the high of such a memorable victory. Boria: How did you manage to take a Bangladesh team to beat Australia in Australia in red-ball cricket? Simmons: It definitely would be the biggest moment in Bangladesh cricket history, beating Australia in Australia. For any team who’s going there, it’s always a big thing because they are difficult to beat in Australia. But I think over the last year or two,...
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India Have a Fine Line to Walk on Day 4

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  Vaibhav Tripathi, Galle At lunch on the third day, Sri Lanka were staring at the possibility of being bowled out before the final session. The hosts had lost five wickets, with the dismissals of experienced campaigner Dinesh Chandimal, in-form batter Lahiru Udara and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva leaving them in a precarious position. What followed was an impressive fightback. Niroshan Dickwella joined forces with Sonal Dinusha and helped shift the momentum, while Sonal marked the occasion with his maiden international century. Their partnership gave Sri Lanka a much-needed lift when they appeared to be heading towards another collapse. With the pitch offering plenty to the bowlers, especially the spinners, Dickwella and Sonal showed grit and determination to bat out the entire second session and keep India at bay. Safe to say, whatever plans India threw at the left-handed duo, they seemed prepared for every challenge. However, after tea, the Indian team once again got on a r...
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Ellyse Perry reveals what makes Smriti Mandhana so successful

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Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana for RCB in WPL (PC: RCB) In a recent interaction with JioStar, Australia’s veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry hailed India star opener Smriti Mandhana while also sharing her thoughts on the upcoming inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027. Perry and Mandhana have played together for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for three years in the WPL. Recently, both were also in action in the Women’s Hundred, with Mandhana representing Manchester Super Giants and Perry leading Birmingham Phoenix. Perry highlighted Mandhana’s skills and approach as key reasons behind her success. Smriti Mandhana in Women’s Hundred 2026 (PC: X) “What makes Smriti so successful? Her amazing skill. I think she’s got incredible willpower and a super-strong mind, the way she approaches the game, the way she prepares, the way she knows herself, the way she thinks about things, and the way that she likes challenges. She’s got it all.” Perry also termed the upcoming inaug...
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Suthar makes promising start, Gill takes a stunner

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PC- Debasis Sen, RevSportz At this rate, the first Test between India and Sri Lanka here in Galle could be heading for a four-day finish. This is despite the fact that a significant amount of play has already been lost in this game due to rain. At lunch on Day 3, the hosts were on 99/5 after India were bowled out for 462 in their first innings.   Has the pitch deteriorated significantly? No. It’s taking a bit of turn, which is expected on a third-day surface. Is the bowling unplayable? The answer once again is a no, notwithstanding that Manav Suthar is looking promising. Sri Lanka’s batting so far has been poor, temperament and execution-wise.   Sample this: From the Fort End, Suthar bowled almost a half-tracker to Lahiru Udara. By then, the Sri Lankan opener had a 44-ball stay at the crease. Yes, the ball bounced a bit, but it still had ‘hit-me’ written all over it. Udara hit it straight to Yashasvi Jaiswal at backward point to perish. It was a bonus wicket f...
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Lost Overs Leave India With Little Room for Error With the Ball in Galle

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Image :Debasis Sen Vaibhav Tripathi, Galle Two days of Test cricket have already seen the loss of at least 64 overs and valuable playing time, as the first Test between India and Sri Lanka has been a rain-marred affair so far. On the first day, the rain gods made a short appearance, which still took an hour and a half out of the day’s action. By the end of the first day, India were on top, thanks to a 100-plus-run partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul. The former scored his maiden international hundred on his comeback, while the latter made a fifty. On Day 2, Sri Lanka roared back by taking seven wickets on a fast-moving day, as India managed to get past 450 with one wicket left. Only 43 overs of play were possible due to persistent rain right from the start of Day 2. It continued until 2:20 pm, before play resumed at 2:35 pm. Once again, a lot of overs were lost. Sri Lanka made up for it by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Spin has come into great effect in t...
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