Steve Smith has ticked just about every box he can in the game of cricket. 32 Test hundreds, multiple World Cups, countless Ashes moments, and a seat among the best to ever bat in the modern game. But for all of that, the Australian great says he is looking forward to two upcoming challenges more than any others: a final home Ashes series with England, and the chance to wear the green and gold for its 2028 Olympic debut in Los Angeles.

The Ashes Obsession

Smith will be back in the forefront for Australia's plans when England visits for the Ashes later this year. The rivalry remains the most historic contest in cricket, and Smith, who is third on the list of Ashes runs behind Sir Donald Bradman and Allan Border, is excited about another chapter. 

"I watched a lot of the series over in India and it was one of the best Test series I've seen in a long time," Smith said on Sky Sports. "The cricket that was played by both sides was exceptional. England's got a good team at the moment, and they are obviously playing a really aggressive brand of cricket. Coming down to Australia, especially for their batters, will be a huge challenge. The pitches for the last three or four years have been really tricky."

Australia's bowling depth continues to be its biggest strength, and with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, they have one of the most experienced attacks in world cricket. "We have a very experienced bowling lineup that has been extremely successful for a long time," Smith added. "I think it's going to be a great series."

He also mentioned Joe Root's brilliant patch of form. "His ability to go from 50 to 100 time and time again has been incredible. He hasn't scored a hundred in Australia yet, and I'm sure that's something he wants to tick off his list too."

ALSO SEE: Gautam Gambhir's tenure over? Cheteshwar Pujara predicts this legend as India's new head coach

The Olympics Dream

Outside of the urn, though, Smith's interest piques in the possibility of something brand new. Cricket is back in the Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years at LA28 (which happens to be 35-year-old Smith's CDL - career-defining like). Smith concedes it's hard to resist the prospect of being involved in such a global entity, especially when he is standing on the precipice of human history.

“I heard cricket was going to be involved, I thought that would be cool to be a part of,” Smith told Sky Sports. “I've played in lots of World Cups and Ashes and Border-Gavaskar Trophies, but this is something new. A new opportunity to represent your nation on the world stage. I'd love to be a part of that. But still a fair bit away, so we'll see."

In Los Angeles, the men's and women's T20 tournaments will be cricket's grand re-entrance into the Olympic Games. For players like Smith, who have achieved their success in traditional match formats, the Olympic Games present a unique opportunity to showcase cricket to a new audience and write a new chapter in history.

A Legacy Still Unfolding

Smith, at a time when most have begun to slow down, is still motivated. A new Ashes series, a potential Olympic appearance, and the chance to inspire generations mean he remains hungry. 

"I’ve always been a fan of the Olympics since I was a kid, and watching Australian representatives compete has always given me a really good feeling. It would be an amazing feeling to do that in cricket," he said. 

Whether lifting the urn on home soil or chasing gold across the ocean in Los Angeles, Steve Smith isn’t finished yet. His career, already considered one of the greatest in Australian cricket, still has chapters left to fill.

A regional cricket competition is set to be staged in the Caribbean next year to decide which nation will represent the West Indies at a global qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. With just one men’s T20 spot up for grabs through a final qualifier featuring eight teams, the upcoming regional event takes on historic significance as the path to Olympic glory becomes clearer.

The unique challenge facing the Caribbean stems from the structure of West Indies cricket itself. Traditionally, a unified West Indies team made up of multiple sovereign nations and territories such as Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and others competes in international tournaments under the governance of Cricket West Indies (CWI). However, the Olympics only permit participation by individual sovereign nations, not composite teams. As such, the West Indies cannot compete as a single entity in the Olympics, forcing the need for a regional playoff to determine a single representative nation.

A Rare Opportunity for Smaller Caribbean Nations

CWI President Kishore Shallow confirmed that a dedicated Olympic committee has been formed to oversee the process and will determine how many nations will compete in the Caribbean qualifier. “We welcome it, we embrace it,” Shallow said during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore. “We’re going to try our best to use this exposure, this platform, to incentivize all our stakeholders.”

He added that the Olympic pathway could spark greater investment from regional governments and sponsors, boosting national pride and potentially rejuvenating grassroots cricket. “There will be more national interest and could also mean more commitment from players to play for their countries.”

A Global Qualifier Awaits in 2027

The regional winner from the Caribbean will advance to the global qualifier expected in 2027, where eight nations will battle for the sixth and final men’s Olympic T20 spot. Already expected in the line-up are New Zealand, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and four prominent Asian sides Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who may miss direct qualification through regional rankings.

ALSO SEE: Nepal and Kuwait forge groundbreaking bilateral cricket series from 2026

The five direct Olympic spots are allocated to the top-ranked teams from four ICC regions (Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania) alongside the host nation, the United States, who qualify automatically as the Americas’ representative. If the Olympic qualification cut-off were today, the automatic entries would be:

• India (Asia)
  
• Australia (Oceania)
  
• England/Great Britain (Europe)
  
• South Africa (Africa)
  
• USA (Host/Americas)
  

The remaining eight highest-ranked teams not qualified via this route will get a final shot at the global qualifier, with only one Olympic ticket on offer.

Olympic Format and Future Expansion

The men's and women's T20 tournaments at the 2028 Games will each feature six teams, played over two weeks from July 12–29 in Pomona, just outside Los Angeles. Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics is considered a trial, with a successful showing in LA possibly opening the door to expanded formats at the 2032 Brisbane Games, which could feature up to 12 teams per gender and a combination of rankings and qualifiers.

For now, the Caribbean regional tournament is expected to deliver fierce rivalries and a rare sense of nationalism within the cricketing fraternity, as players may be called upon to represent their specific nations instead of the collective West Indies badge.

Exact dates, venues, and participating countries for the Caribbean qualifier will be announced in due course. While traditional powerhouses like Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Barbados are likely front-runners, smaller nations could also mount a strong case, especially if top players commit to the Olympic vision. The road to LA 2028 has already begun, and for the West Indies region, it’s a journey unlike any other.

Bollywood actor Sunny Singh made headlines with his unique pics in the fun ‘This or That’ cricket challenge. When asked to choose from various top Indian cricketers, fans were surprised to see him select former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Nitish Rana over some of the top names in Indian cricket’s history, including, of course, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni!

The actor’s picks followed an interesting pattern. He initially chose Shubman Gill over Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Then, in a twist, he picked Rinku Singh over Gill. However, the most unexpected moment came when Nitish Rana’s name appeared. Sunny picked him above all others—including Mohammed Siraj, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kapil Dev, and even the legendary Kohli and Rohit.

Rishabh Pant, India’s star wicketkeeper, reacted to the viral clip by dropping three fire emojis and a laughing emoji in the comments. Pant is currently touring England with the Indian team for the ongoing five-match Test series. The fourth Test is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 23, at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Nitish Rana’s recent form and Test retirements of legends

Nitish Rana, who played his last IPL season in 2025 for Rajasthan Royals, scored 217 runs in 11 innings, including two half-centuries. Although he is no longer a part of KKR, he was the captain of the franchise in IPL 2023 and played for them between 2018-2024. The left-handed cricketer is now gearing up for Season 2 of the Delhi Premier League (DPL).

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See Also: 'They will do it' – Former India batter backs Shubman Gill and team ahead of 4th ENG vs IND 2025 Test

The Indian Test squad is in transition mode after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from the format. Kohli, India's highest-scoring Test skipper, had scored 9230 runs in 123 Tests, with 30 centuries. Rohit Sharma played 67 Tests, making 4301 runs and leading India in 24 games with a success ratio of 50.

Indian Cricket's batting maestro, often termed the 'Run-Machine' across formats, Virat Kohli is synonymous with greatness. His records speak for themselves and need no justification. Having been a stalwart for India for over a decade and a half, the veteran batter from Delhi smashed several records and etched himself for eternity in the cricketing folklore. His game prowess fetched him immense success on and off the field, and courtesy of that, he became a household name and an inspiration for millions of fans across the globe. Recently retired from the T20 and Test formats, the legendary batter has accumulated 82 international centuries so far. This includes the record for hitting the most number of tons (51) in One Day Cricket (ODI), the format for which he will only step on the field until complete international retirement. 

Kohli's decorated career has not just been limited to elegant and flawless batting masterclasses. He has had his tryst with the cricket ball as well. A part-time, right-arm medium pacer, he has been employed to bowl on certain occasions and hasn't disappointed. His bowling has allowed the main bowlers to take some rest and load up for a while. His immaculate line and lengths have not allowed the opposition batters, looking to upscale the scoring rates, to break free. Their attacking instincts against, apparently, a 'bits and pieces' bowler like Virat come with definite risks and have helped him strike the woodwork, on course towards amassing nine international wickets, hitherto, in his career. Some essential breakthroughs have boosted the bowling unit, as Kohli's victims have been potent batters of the opposition line-ups.

See Also: Virat Kohli stands alone with 900+ ratings in all formats

Virat Kohli's International Bowling Statistics:

A look at the batting spearhead's all of the international wickets, a set of nine occasions, yet, in his career, when he has brought his all-rounder skills to the fore. He let the ball talk then, incisively, off his hands and made it a supplementary weapon as well, along with that bat between his gloves, perennially. 

Kevin Pieterson

Virat Kohli's first-ever international wicket was that of the English all-rounder Kevin Pietersen. He got him out stumped in a T20I match between England and India in 2011. Kohli, bowling for the first time at the highest level of the game, sent down an inswinger which the Indian wicket-keeper captain MS Dhoni easily collected, stumping the batter out off his leg side. 

1- Kevin Pieterson

The first bowl he bowled in international cricket was a wide bowl and he got Kevin Pieterson on that bowl. pic.twitter.com/uN9PPdHH1N

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Alastair Cook

Kohli's second international victim was the English opening batter and Legend Alastair Cook, whom he scalped in an ODI match between the two teams in 2011. Bowling a leg-cutter of a delivery, the former foxed the latter to castle his stumps, in a dismissal that every bowler would have felt proud of. 

2- Alastair Cook pic.twitter.com/ZVETJZwDqn

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Craig Kieswetter

Virat's third instance of striking with the ball came in an ODI match between India and England at Mohali, Punjab in 2011. Protecting the off-side by bringing the fielder finer and up, Kohli bowled a ball at an angle and quite wide of the batter's off stump. In an attempt to reach the ball, the then young English batter Craig Kieswetter inside edged, and the ball dragged on behind to chop his stumps off.  

3 - Craig kieswetter

Bowled a beautiful Yorker to kieswetter on first bowl of his over and got him out pic.twitter.com/RG4Jtw97cx

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Brendon McCullum

In an ODI match against the Kiwis at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2014, Virat not only got an opportunity to bowl but also picked up the prized wicket of Brendon McCullum, the explosive batter. The latter danced down the pitch to slog the former over covers, but didn't get enough elevation in his shot and got caught by Rohit Sharma.  

4- Brendon McCullum

virat kohli came and got McCullum out on 5th Bowl of his over after getting hit for six on the first bowl. pic.twitter.com/9JazsgAZWN

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Quinton De Kock

Playing against South Africa in a pink ODI match at The Wanderers, Johannesburg in 2013, Virat bagged his fifth international wicket. He bowled and caught the well-set Quinton De Kock on 135 runs, ending his long and impactful stay at the crease. 

5 - Quinton De Kock pic.twitter.com/v56iyM9cmt

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Samit Patel

In a 2011 T20I match against England at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Kohli struck with the ball. He contributed to the wicket of Samit Patel, who holed one up in the air off his bowling, eventually getting caught by Manoj Tiwary at the short covers position. 

6- Samit Patel pic.twitter.com/IeeKd0D75e

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Mohammad Hafeez

In the big-ticket and high-stakes encounter between India and Pakistan at the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Kohli bowled Hafeez. On a length delivery angling at the middle and leg stump, the Pakistan batter attempted to play it late, only to misjudge the speed of the ball and see his stumps get dismantled. 

7- Md Hafeez pic.twitter.com/8wtRpnh90q

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Johnson Charles

In the semi-final of the 2016 T20 World Cup, against the big-hitting West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India were staring at defeat and an eventual exit from the tournament. Kohli was trusted to bowl and got the wicket of the half-centurion, Johnson Charles. On a short pitch of a delivery, the batter went aerial and was caught at long-off by Rohit Sharma. It broke their partnership; however, things didn't improve much as the home side went crashing out at that stage. 

8- Johnson Charles

Virat kohli came with his magic and got Charles on the first bowl of his over. pic.twitter.com/yytL4xH9YF

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Scott Edwards

Virat Kohli's most recent and latest international wicket came at the 2023 ODI World Cup against the Netherlands in Bengaluru. In a ball-strangling down the leg side, the batter and Dutch skipper, Scott Edwards, feathered it off guard and got caught by the wicket-keeper, KL Rahul. The dismissal was a Diwali surprise for the fans, and Virat was equally surprised, yet elated, to witness his ninth international wicket of his glorious career, so far. 

9- Scott Edwards

Even he couldn't believe that, He got Edwards out in his second over! pic.twitter.com/ngcF1PLfX7

— Ayan (@ayan3955) July 16, 2025

Cricket will make its long-awaited return to the Olympics stage at the LA 2028 Games beginning July 12. This will be cricket's first event at the Summer Games since Paris 1900, when only Great Britain and France competed in a single match that is now recognized as an unofficial Test match. The LA 2028 will have a much more modern and competitive format, with a T20 tournament and separate men’s and women’s tournaments.

Each tournament will have six teams competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals, with 90 athlete quotas for men and for women, so 90 athletes per gender. Teams will be permitted to name 15-member squads. The matches will mostly be played as double-headers, beginning at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time in Los Angeles. For Indian viewers, that translates to matches starting at 9:30 PM IST and 7:00 AM IST the following day. Notably, there will be no cricket matches on July 14 and 21.

All cricket matches are slated to take place at a temporary venue set up within the Fairgrounds in Pomona—officially known as Fairplex—about 50 kilometers from Los Angeles. This nearly 500-acre complex, known for hosting the LA County Fair and other major events, will transform into an Olympic cricket arena for the duration of the Games.

Cricket’s Olympic Revival and Multi-Sport Legacy

Cricket’s reintroduction to the Olympics follows a steady rise in its presence across major international multi-sport events. While the men’s game was featured at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, women’s cricket made its debut at Birmingham 2022. T20 cricket has also been played at several editions of the Asian Games, including 2010, 2014, and 2023.

See Also: India’s narrowest Test defeats by runs ft. Lord’s 2025

The sport joins four others—baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash—as new additions to the LA 2028 program. Squash, another discipline drawing Indian attention, will hold its medal events from July 23-24 at the Universal City Squash Center in Los Angeles.

Cricket is not only a game in India; it is an emotion. The emotion has neither any boundary nor any barriers. People of every age like to be a part of the sport. There are very few people in the nation who, at least for once, never tried to play cricket with their friends. Rain adds an extra layer with that.

Now, monsoon clouds are roaming all over the country, which more or less has an effect on regular life. With a new drop of water, urban life gets some much-needed freshness all over the place. The dust over the green leaves and over the structure has been removed, and things have started to look more majestic than before—the magic of monsoon.

Monsoon rain has a different kind of attachment with outdoor games like football or cricket. People of different age groups, out of nostalgia, come out of the concrete structures to play their favorite game, like many of them used to do in their childhood. In a viral video, we can see three boys playing cricket in a rain-soaked yard.

Read More: Shocking photo comes out from Lord's ahead of ENG vs IND 3rd Test

Reminisce or reality?

Then, in the middle of their game, a delivery boy comes there to deliver a package. Seeing the boys playing cricket, the delivery boy couldn't resist himself and took part with them. Audiences from different age groups and jobs can easily relate to the video.

The delivery boy in the video couldn't refuse his inner feelings, but not everyone might be able to pluck up the courage to act according to those inner voices. Increasing responsibility often spreads the desires thin, and many of the working persons could only think about their childhood days and travel long to the memory lane.

Watch the viral video here

Cricket isn't just game It's Emotion❤️‍🩹🤌 pic.twitter.com/4iNVZsY9cc

— Aditya Tiwari ❤️👻 (@aditiwari9111) July 8, 2025

Vaibhav Suryavanshi once again proved that he is one of the more exciting young talents in Indian cricket. In an exhilarating performance against England U-19, the 18-year-old batter bludgeoned a fifty off just 24 balls and toyed with the bowlers using some spectacular hitting. Completing the knock made it even more sensational—46 of his 50 runs came in boundaries—a combination of cavalier cover drives, brute force pulls, and clever shot selection all around the ground.

Suryavanshi came in at a particularly difficult time for India U-19 but immediately turned the tide with his all-out aggression. The England bowlers stood no chance against his speed and placement—with little difficulty he was able to systematically break down the spin or pace bowlers. His innings enabled India to post a gargantuan total and wrest immediate control of the match. Suryavanshi's maturity and confidence at the crease were reflective of his rapidly growing name at the junior international level.

The knock wasn't just about the numbers; it was about the intent and the statement. You could feel Suryavanshi's presence elevate the team's energy and leave supporters of Indian cricket excited about the next phase of India’s batting talent. Coaches and former cricketers watching the game hailed his composure and ability to perform on the biggest stage and in the most pressurized moments. With such a performance on the big stage, he will be a name we will be hearing about in India's U-19 setup for a long time to come.

VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI SMASHED FIFTY FROM JUST 24 BALLS AGAINST ENGLAND U-19..!!!

- 46 runs came through Boundaries 🥶 pic.twitter.com/pRoa4brxvd

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 5, 2025

Also read:  MLC 2025: MINY vs LAKR Dream11 Prediction 27th Match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

From IPL Impressions to U-19 Showcase 

Suryavanshi's prodigious displays in the Under-19 circuit are a natural offshoot of his incredible IPL 2025 season, where he burst onto the scene as a star for the Rajasthan Royals. In 13 matches, he was a standout, gathering in excess of 460 runs at a strike rate of greater than 155, no doubt delivering when the game was in the balance. His player-of-the-match innings against the competition’s leading sides turned a few heads and gave way to an Emerging Player nomination from the league.

Beyond just the statistics, what left an impression on experts during the IPL was Suryavanshi's temperament. Suryavanshi operated with calmness and couldn’t be flustered, even in high-pressure environments, executing his shots with conviction. That same demeanor was exhibited today versus England U-19. It’s clear IPL exposure gave a head start in his development, and where he is now putting a stamp on each of the levels he is playing.

With form, maturity, and fearlessness in sight, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is one of Indian cricket’s best future stars, no doubt.

Recently, a training camp with Pakistani cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed has sparked backlash after a video made the rounds of him training without a shirt on a cricket field. The video had gotten out on social media very quickly and was viewed by numerous people who saw Iftikhar performing rigorous fitness training without his shirt on—an event that questioned player safety while training as well as professionalism as a member of the team. 

What some considered either a humorous or traumatic fitness routine resulted in serious health and image issues for others. A medical professional commented on social media, "Practicing without a shirt is dangerous in open conditions—with exposure, heat, and risk of dehydration." Fans added to the conversations—while most people who viewed the video suggested this behavior should not be part of any team training session, they accused the manager, coaching staff, and/or support staff of not having a clear-cut and standard process regarding training protocols for players under their supervision.

Training in hot conditions without a shirt will also raise the risk of a heat-related incident, sunburn, and eventually fatigue if athletes do not manage their hydration and protection correctly. Critics were of the view that athletes, especially at the international level, have a standard of discipline and responsibility not only for themselves but also to provide an example for young aspiring players. While some fans supported the cricketer's decision as a matter of comfort during physically intense drills, the majority were concerned about the image and professionalism it presented.

@IftiMania practicing without wearing a shirt. Has he lost his Mind? Is there NO accountability in @TheRealPCB? As a doctor I can tell you how dangerous this can be.#PakistanCricket I #IftikharAhmad pic.twitter.com/OTfjCWFYpD

— Pakistan Cricket Team USA FC (@DoctorofCricket) July 4, 2025

Also read: [WATCH] "Rohit ab to retire ho gaya..." Gautam Gambhir's fresh jibe on Rohit Sharma goes viral in Kapil Sharma's talk show

Continued Concerns Regarding Fitness Culture and Management Standards

The incident raised greater questions about the fitness culture and management standards within the national setup. Many people felt that permitting players to train without the right attire and without protection set a poor example of the professionalism of the team environment.

A number of fans and pundits suggested that training in a supervised structured plan is essential for first-class/tier athletes. Regardless of whether Iftikhar's training was spontaneous or a habit, it raises the importance of supervision, coaching, structured training, and achieving standards on and off the field—especially as we lead up to important international commitments.

In August 2024, Shikhar Dhawan officially announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, bringing to a close one of the most impactful careers by an opening batter in ODIs. Nicknamed 'Mr. ICC' for his consistent brilliance in global tournaments, Dhawan was the top scorer and Player of the Tournament during India’s victorious 2013 Champions Trophy campaign. He replicated his form in the 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy, averaging an exceptional 65 in ICC events.

Across 167 ODIs, Dhawan amassed 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. His final outing in India colors came during the 2022 tour of Bangladesh, where he scored just 18 runs in three innings. That series also featured Ishan Kishan’s record-breaking double century—210 off 131 balls—which Dhawan revealed was a pivotal moment for him. “When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my instinct told me, alright boy, this can be the end of your career. An inner voice came to me. And that’s what happened,” Dhawan told Hindustan Times.

In that particular game, Dhawan scored only 3 runs while India went on to win by 227 runs. Despite the personal setback, Dhawan shared that he was emotionally at peace. “Then I remember my friends came over to, you know, give me that emotional support. They thought that I would be very down. But I was chilling; I was enjoying it," he added, reflecting his typical calm and cheerful demeanor.

"We Are Used to It Since Under-14 Days": Dhawan on Being Dropped

Dhawan also addressed the silence from teammates after he was dropped from the Indian team, clarifying that such things are not unusual in the world of cricket. “No, it doesn’t happen that way (teammates messaging after someone being dropped). Maybe I spoke to Rahul (Dravid) bhai. He messaged me,” he said, when asked if any player had reached out after his exclusion.

See Also: Watch: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma spotted in London ahead of ENG vs IND 2nd Test

The 39-year-old veteran stressed that he wasn’t shocked by the development, having experienced selections and exclusions since his early playing days. “Everyone has their own journey, and they are doing work or they are on tours; that’s something very normal. We are used to it from the age of under 14; this is not the first time I am getting dropped or getting in,” Dhawan said calmly, summing up his journey with characteristic grace.

Cricket fans are in for a treat as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh square off in the opening ODI of their three-match series in Colombo. With World Cup qualification points, team rebuilding, and national pride on the line, both teams will be eager to start strong. While Sri Lanka will rely on home advantage and spin depth, Bangladesh enter with a refreshed squad, hoping to upset the hosts on their turf.

Expect a gripping contest filled with spin battles, middle-over scrambles, and moments of brilliance as both teams begin their campaign in what promises to be a competitive and closely fought series.

 Match Details – SL vs BAN | 1st ODI, 2025

• Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 1st ODI

• Date: July 2, 2025 (Wednesday)

• Time: 2:30 PM IST | 2:00 PM Local Time

• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

 Live Streaming Details:

India:

• TV Broadcast: No confirmed traditional TV broadcast

• Live Streaming: FanCode (app & website, subscription may apply)

Sri Lanka:

• TV Broadcast: SLRC (Channel Eye)

• Live Streaming: Official Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube / Dialog ViU

Bangladesh:

• TV Broadcast: GTV (Gazi TV)

• Live Streaming: Rabbitholebd app & website

Other Regions:

• UK: TNT Sports / Discovery+

• Australia: Fox Sports / Kayo Sports

• USA & Canada: Willow TV / ESPN+

• Caribbean: ESPN Caribbean

ALSO READ: Aus vs WI: Steve Smith Likely to Play in 2nd Test Against West Indies

 Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando

Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Shamim Hossain, Parvez Hossain Emon, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib