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The India batter smashed 89 off 56 while Sri Lanka’s youngsters had more sedate returns

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Feb-20222:14

Ishan Kishan: Our approach is to attack the bowlers rather than wait for a bad ball

Seven balls into his innings, Ishan Kishan gets a full toss outside his off stump. In a blink, it has scorched its way to the cover boundary. The next ball from Chamika Karunaratne is a shorter, slower delivery. The shoulders swing into action. The elbows are a blur. This ball blazes and takes an even quicker route to the rope. Straight of cover this time.In the late 1990s, when Sanath Jayasuriya reigned over India versus Sri Lanka fixtures, word on the streets in India was that Jayasuriya had springs hidden in his bat. How else did he get the ball to boing off over the infield when the likes of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad bowled at him?Related

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Kishan’s bat functions more like rocket launcher than trampoline. That he is no conventional “timer of the ball” is clear, because he throws every milligram of his body weight into some of his shots. But this is not the same thing as saying he does not have timing. On evenings like these, the force that goes up from his toes, through his hips, chest, shoulders, arms, wrists, seems to be matched by the energy that his bat, of its own accord, is producing. It’s big-effort batting mixed with glorious-timing results. The best of both worlds. It took seven years at the international level for Jayasuriya to mesh his explosive power with batting’s more refined virtues. Kishan is in his ninth T20I.But we know where the refinement came for Kishan, right? He’s hit 1452 runs in the IPL, and commanded a pay packet of more than US$2 million in the most-recent auction. He’s played 56 innings in that competition, and 108 T20 innings overall, and in that time, batted in a host of match situations and positions. On Thursday evening, he had to face two 140kph-plus bowlers up front, and a legspinner and a left-arm spinner, none of whom seriously troubled him. He batted, as on his debut against England last year, and in several internationals since, as if pounding bowlers of every description was a birthright.When Sri Lanka came out to make their response to Kishan’s 89 off 56 and India’s 199 for 2, they had some promising young batters too. Pathum Nissanka, a first-class star who had sort of made the switch to being a decent T20 batter, having top-scored in the recent series in Australia, was opening the innings. Charith Asalanka, who was excellent in last year’s T20 World Cup, was batting lower down.Through the course of this tour, you might notice their better shots. Like Asalanka’s ramp off Jasprit Bumrah at the end of the fourth over. Or his flat, hard, reverse sweep through point off Ravindra Jadeja in the 14th.But you might also notice this. Young India players are largely doing things they’ve done before, going into their memory banks, calling up moments from their past in which they’ve triumphed in similar situations, against oppositions of perhaps somewhat worse but not-dissimilar quality. Sri Lanka’s young players are always reaching. The next level. That big step. This vast chasm they have to somehow bridge.Occasionally, they manage it. But often, they don’t. You see their talent warring with their inexperience when Kamil Mishara, who has all of 15 T20s (of any description) on his ledger, punches the second ball he’s ever faced from Bumrah to the cover fence on the up, before failing to connect with the next three deliveries, as Bumrah mixes it up. You see it in Janith Liyanage’s pained 11 off 17, or even in Nissanka’s fatal first ball, where he failed to account for the low bounce in the Lucknow pitch. Even Asalanka, the Sri Lanka batter who has best transitioned to T20Is in the last few years, was dropped twice on his way to his half-century.We will not tread over SLC’s many sins here, because they have been lavishly documented in these pages. But even if their officials were competent, Sri Lanka will never have the likes of this Indian cricketing machine, of which Kishan is a proud product. There are some harsh judgements on the Sri Lankan system, but also some bald economics. For much of Kishan’s IPL career, he was coached by one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketing minds.Sri Lanka have two more T20s, and two Tests, in a country where they have done exceedingly poorly in both those formats. If they are to make something of this tour, they will have to reach for the kinds of performances they have never produced before.India, like Kishan, ferocious at home in any case, need only to do what they’ve been doing.

A lookback at the mistakes Afghanistan made to exit from the quarter-final stage

Sreshth Shah in Benoni01-Feb-2020Afghanistan’s quarter-final against Pakistan was always going to be a game of emotion and skill. And perhaps, the occasion got the better of them.Electing to bat, Afghanistan started well but stuttered. Their captain Farhan Zakhil received two early reprieves, after which he batted defensively to top score with 40, but the others didn’t tread the same degree of caution.The first was Ibrahim Zadran, already a Test player. Afghanistan were rattling along at over six an over, but he couldn’t resist going after the bowling. In the seventh over, he was out caught at third man while trying to drive on the up.Rahmanullah, their No. 4, was reprieved at deep midwicket in the 20th but couldn’t resist going for another cross-batted slog. He was out lbw in the 23rd over.Asif Musazai had been kept quiet by leg spinner Fahad Munir, but the urge to hit out cost him as he was out edging to gully. That’s three top batsmen gone because they weren’t patient enough, and there were more.Abid Mohammadi could’ve wrested control for Afghanistan, but did something uncharacteristic after playing himself in. With the dot-ball pressure building, he tried to steal a single that wasn’t on and was run out.These are just a few examples that left Afghanistan coach Raees Ahmadzai disappointed. The total of 189 wasn’t going to be enough, especially after Mohammadi dropped Mohammad Huraira at third man in the third over of the chase.Huraira responded by thumping 64, and with the pace he was scoring in, could’ve got a hundred on his Youth ODI debut, had it not been for his run-out in contentious circumstances.”I think the main problem was that the batsmen did not take any responsibility, especially the middle order,” Ahmadzai said. “We were short by 30-35 runs. The wicket was very good for batting but the main problem was no one took any responsibility. Three batsmen gave their wickets away like a gift.”The way we started, the opposition bowlers weren’t causing any problem for us. But the way we gave the wickets away, momentum went to the Pakistan side. I will say six batsmen gave their wickets freely to Pakistan.”Could things have been different for Afghanistan? Their bowlers didn’t look to attack and were happy to restrict, banking heavily on their spinners. That didn’t pay off. They went for wickets, erred in line and were punished in the Powerplay.By the time Afghanistan’s legspinner Shafiqullah Ghafari was introduced into the attack, Pakistan’s openers had knocked off more than 25% of the target. Noor Ahmad, their wicket-taking option, came into the attack when Pakistan were already at 60 for no loss.While Afghanistan may have thought correctly in playing an extra batsman, could they have tried out Sediqullah Atal in place of the out-of-form Musazai? Atal was striking the ball superbly at the nets, but could only watch from the sidelines.Coming into the tournament, Afghanistan had won their last four U-19 games against Pakistan. They entered the game undefeated and were favourites. But their indecision cost them.As such, the Under-19 World Cup isn’t just about who wins, but about who leaves the biggest footprint. To that effect, they can draw some solace from the fact that they found a number of players who could go on to serve the national team well.Ghafari’s six-wicket haul, on the opening day of the World Cup, against hosts South Africa, lit the tournament up.  Noor, only 15, has made other countries jealous of Afghanistan’s plethora of spin-bowling options. As Afghanistan continue to find leaders for the future, in Zakhil they found a man with a clear thought process.But they’ll have to address one issue soon, and that is consistent batting performances. They need to perhaps learn aggression isn’t just about hitting out. And that 50-over cricket can’t be played with T20 tempo.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has hinted that the glitz and glamour of the 2026 World Cup ceremony was rather unnecessary. The Three Lions eventually found out that they will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama at next year's competition in North America. However, those watching the draw had to wait a long time to find out the results, something Tuchel believes they could have "done without".

'I don't need it'

On Friday, the football world discovered who will play who in the group stages of the World Cup, with England facing 2018 finalists Croatia first up in the tournament. For those tuning in, though, it took an eternity for the nations to actually be drawn in Washington D.C. Earlier on in the ceremony, United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino designating it for a person who has "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and "united people across the world". Trump was given a large gold trophy, a medal, and a certificate, while Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was also heavily involved in the draw. Going by Tuchel's comments, he didn't appear to be a fan of the whole affair.

He told : "I do not, not like it but we could have done it like, without all of this. I don't need it. But of course, it's a huge stage and it's big entertainment. I was very well aware that it's not about the deep insight of football today."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportEngland face 'difficult' group

While England are favourites to win their group and progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup, many Three Lions fans have not forgotten Croatia dumping them out of the tournament at the semi-final stage in 2018. And former Chelsea boss Tuchel is certainly wary of their upcoming opponents, even though they beat them in Euro 2020.

"Difficult group, difficult opener. Difficult group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations. Panama, I don't know much about Panama at the moment but we will find out about it before the tournament starts, of course," he said. "For me, I'm only experienced group football in Champions League formats and the way to approach it was to always give it the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group. It always seems difficult like our group now but we are confident and we will be well prepared when we arrive.

"Nobody should be underestimated. Of course, Croatia is the standout, they're the highest ranked team from pot two that we got into out group but listen, Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise and has a big history in World Cup football, and also Panama will try to make the most in their underdog role. No one can be underestimated, everyone deserves the fullest respect and we can show that."

Tuchel's preference…

On paper, Croatia is the most difficult side England face in the group stage, with their European rivals six places below the Three Lions in the world rankings in 10th. Incidentally, Panama are down in 30th, and Ghana sit in 72nd. While some nations may want to ease into the competition with an easier match, Tuchel had no preference. 

He said: "I had no preference because why would I worry? I cannot influence. The legends took the draw and this is what we get and what we have to deal with now. We know now our opponents, we know we will start late in the tournament if players are involved in European finals, hopefully. We didn't desire anything we just handled the situation as it is. You get a little more days before and then you get a condensed schedule later in the tournament. Everything comes with in upside and downside."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for England?

England are expected to face Croatia in their World Cup opener in Toronto, Canada, or Dallas, in the United States, on June 17. Before then, the Three Lions will have to confirm some friendly fixtures earlier on in 2026 to get them ready for the showpiece event.

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أعلن هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة، عن تشكيل فريقه الذي يستعد لمواجهة ديبورتيفو ألافيس، على ملعب الكامب نو ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة عشر في الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

ويدخل برشلونة هذه المباراة بمعنويات منخفضة بعد سقوطه أمام تشيلسي بثلاثية نظيفة، ويرغب في تصحيح مساره بعد تقليص فارق النقاط مع ريال مدريد في الليجا في الجولة الماضية إلى نقطة واحدة فقط.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري الاسباني بـ31 نقطة، ويحتل ديبورتيفو ألافيس المركز الرابع عشر بـ15 نقطة.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ريفالدو ينتقد فليك بعد السقوط أمام تشيلسي.. ويصرح: اللاعبون يرتكبون مسرحيات في الملعب

وتصادف مباراة برشلونة وديبورتيفو ألافيس احتفال البلوجرانا بالذكرى الـ126 على تأسيس النادي.

وأفادت إذاعة “راك 1” الإسبانية بأن فرينكي دي يونج يغيب عن قائمة مباراة اليوم لأسباب عائلية، حيث كانت الشكوك تحيط حول مشاركته ضد ألافيس بسبب عدم انضمامه لمعسكر برشلونة إلى جانب أراوخو الذي تعرض لفيروس في المعدة.، بينما حصل بيدري على التصريح الطبي. تشكيل برشلونة أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس:

 في حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا

خط الدفاع:إريك جارسيا- كوبارسي – جيرارد مارتن – أليخاندرو بالدي

خط الوسط:مارك برنال- مارك كاسادو- داني أولمو

خط الهجوم:لامين يامال- روبرت ليفاندوفسكي- رافينيا

ويجلس على دكة البدلاء كل من: فيران توريس- بيدري- راشفورد- كريستنسن- كوندي- تشيزني- جوفري- درو- روني باردجي- آلير- تومي

Newcastle United fans have felt equal levels of excitement and bewilderment at how their up-and-down team has fared so far this season.

In the Champions League, the Toon have looked energetic and vibrant, with eight goals coming their way across two wins in the illustrious competition.

Yet, back in the big time of the Premier League, Newcastle have looked lost and lethargic, instead of potential world-beaters, with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a relegation-threatened West Ham last time out, seeing the Magpies sink to new lows.

Unfortunately, many of the old guard Eddie Howe has favoured since taking on the Newcastle job post are beginning to show very visible signs of decay, with Dan Burn a declining presence who is hard to defend at this point, heading into the Toon’s latest European clash with Athletic Club.

Burn's decline at Newcastle

Before delving further into the number 33’s out-of-sorts form in the here and now, it should be said that Burn is definitely viewed as a modern-day hero at St James’ Park.

After all, the 6-foot-7 colossus was the man who headed home the all-important opener earlier this year to help Newcastle triumphantly lift the EFL Cup, as Howe continues to regularly wax lyrical about how “incredible” a servant the Blyth-born defender has been over the years on Tyneside.

But, Burn could now be overstaying his welcome, with the likes of Malick Thiaw – who joined in the summer from AC Milan – a shinier new model who will stay in the heart of Newcastle defence, you imagine, for the foreseeable future.

With Sven Botman rock-solid, too, as his consistent centre-back partner, Burn has had to make do with minutes as a makeshift left-back as of late, with the position not playing to his commanding strengths whatsoever.

Away at West Ham, Burn failed to register a single successful dribble, which then limited Newcastle’s attacking options down the left flank, with the 33-year-old also giving possession away a high 14 times.

With Lewis Hall edging back to full fitness, he could be in for a starting space against Ernesto Valverde’s challengers in midweek as Burn is perhaps given a rest after a shaky couple of games in a row.

Howe will also have to push his sentiment to one side, again, with another possible alteration on Wednesday.

Newcastle star who's "nowhere near his best" faces the chop

Thankfully, some of the 47-year-old’s long-standing servants continue to excel, so deep into their stays in the North.

Bruno Guimaraes – who has lined up for 168 games under Howe to date – finds himself three goals down this season in the Premier League already, which has led to pundit Michael Carrick hailing him as the club’s ever-dependable “talisman.”

1. Bruno Guimaraes

168

= 2. Fabian Schar

163

= 2. Dan Burn

163

4. Jacob Murphy

148

5. Joelinton

143

But, his fellow compatriot and midfield partner Joelinton isn’t receiving similar praise right now, despite boasting a colossal 143 games under Howe’s management.

Indeed, Joelinton – much like Burn – will be viewed as a modern-great amongst the hardened St James’ Park masses long after he departs the building, with teammate Kieran Trippier branding him as a “machine” when he’s at his high-octane peak.

With 31 goals and 21 assists up his sleeve too for Newcastle, Joelinton is clearly fondly respected and admired.

But, in the words of journalist Mark Douglas in mid-October, he has been “nowhere near his best” in recent times, as Newcastle continue to struggle to spark into life in the Premier League this season.

Only a sorry two strikes have come Joelinton’s way this season, with both of those efforts coming against lowly Bradford City in EFL Cup action.

Moreover, the number 7 was one of Newcastle’s worst culprits for looking lethargic against the Hammers, with just three of his seven duels being successfully won, as Lucas Paqueta and Freddie Potts controlled the game from the middle of the park for the hosts instead.

Last time out in Europe’s top competition, both Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey were given run-outs in the middle, as Joelinton then came on against Benfica in the latter stages.

A similar refreshed look could be on display against the visitors from Bilbao, with Hall possibly given some crucial minutes back in the first team fold, too, in place of Burn.

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