India Add Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as Assistant Coaches for Sri Lanka Tour

Former India allrounder Abhishek Nayar and former Netherlands allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate are set to join India’s support staff as assistant coaches for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Their appointments strengthen a new-look backroom team that aims to bring fresh ideas, tactical depth, and strong man-management to the national setup.

The duo will reunite with new head coach Gautam Gambhir, after playing key roles as his assistant coaches during Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 title-winning campaign. Their familiarity with Gambhir’s methods and modern white-ball strategies is expected to help create a seamless transition from franchise success to the international stage.

Former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel has also been approached to become India’s new bowling coach, underlining a clear focus on specialist coaching and high-performance support. If finalised, this combination of international experience and IPL-proven expertise could significantly influence India’s preparation, player development, and tactical planning in limited-overs cricket.

Mohammed Shami Urges Caution Over Rumours Involving Sania Mirza

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami has responded to rumours linking him with tennis star Sania Mirza, calling for greater responsibility on social media. He criticised those spreading unverified claims and highlighted the damage that misinformation can cause to personal lives and reputations.

Shami emphasised that information shared online should be checked carefully before being forwarded or believed. He urged people to think twice before trusting content from unverified sources and to focus instead on achieving success and elevating themselves so they are known as good, respectable individuals.

By addressing the rumours directly, Mohammed Shami reinforced the importance of digital responsibility and respectful online behaviour. His message serves as a reminder that social media users play a crucial role in preventing the spread of false narratives and protecting the dignity of public figures and private individuals alike.

Harbhajan Singh Criticises Exclusion of Key Players from India’s Sri Lanka Tour

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has expressed strong disappointment over the omission of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Yuzvendra Chahal from India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The series will feature three T20Is starting on July 27 in Pallekele, followed by three ODIs in Colombo between August 3 and 7.

The selection committee of the BCCI, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, opted to leave out in-form players Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson from the Sri Lanka squads, a move that has sparked debate among fans and experts. Harbhajan Singh believes their recent performances warranted a place in the touring party and that their absence represents a missed opportunity to build a strong, balanced limited-overs side.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s exclusion has also raised concerns, given his experience and proven match-winning ability in white-ball cricket. The decisions have intensified scrutiny on India’s selection strategy ahead of future international assignments and major ICC tournaments.

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Samson, who recently scored his maiden international hundred in India’s last ODI match, has been left out of the upcoming 50-over series. Despite this omission, the in-form batter has been included in the T20I squad, underlining the selectors’ confidence in his explosive abilities in the shortest format of the game. The decision has sparked discussion among fans and analysts, who continue to debate India’s evolving white-ball strategy.

In the world of entertainment, actress Natasa Stankovic is spending time in Serbia with her son Agastya following her separation from Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya. Stankovic has shared glimpses of her current routine on social media, including pictures of herself cycling and a post-workout selfie. The updates highlight her focus on fitness, family, and a fresh chapter in her personal life, drawing significant attention from followers and entertainment portals.

Woong Ki’s Impact on Indian Archery and Olympic Qualification

Woong Ki has been pivotal in the Indian archery team’s recent success, guiding the squad to notable achievements at major international competitions such as the Asian Games and the Archery World Cup. Under his leadership, the team has developed a strong culture of discipline, consistency, and tactical awareness, which has translated into higher scores, more podium finishes, and improved world rankings on the global stage.

The Indian archery team, featuring both men and women, has qualified for all five events at the Olympic Games for the first time since 2012. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone for archery in India and reflects years of structured training programs, scientific coaching, and sustained investment in grassroots talent and high-performance pathways.

Strong performances at recent international events have raised realistic hopes of an Olympic medal in Paris, generating renewed interest in archery among fans, former athletes, and aspiring youngsters. Many see this as a breakthrough moment for Indian archery, with increased media coverage and growing support from sporting bodies and sponsors.

In preparation for the upcoming Olympics, the team has been training in Marseille, using the camp to adapt to European weather and wind conditions, fine-tune equipment, and simulate high-pressure match situations similar to those expected in Paris. This overseas training block is designed to sharpen mental toughness and match readiness against the world’s best archers.

Woong Ki’s absence is particularly felt as India targets success in multiple Olympic archery events. His strategic inputs, calm presence, and extensive experience in handling elite tournaments are missed both on and off the field. In his stead, the support staff and senior archers have stepped up, taking on additional responsibility to maintain the same high standards of preparation, unity, and focus that have defined the team’s recent rise in international archery.

Deepti Sharma in The Hundred 2024 and the Rise of Indian Players in Overseas Leagues

Deepti Sharma, the Indian all-rounder, is set to return to The Hundred 2024 with London Spirit, replacing the injured Grace Harris. Renowned for her economical off-spin and her ability to either anchor an innings or accelerate the scoring rate, Deepti adds crucial balance to the London Spirit squad and offers tactical flexibility with both bat and ball in the powerplay and death overs.

Having previously represented London Spirit in the 2021 edition of The Hundred, Deepti will rejoin a familiar setup and coaching group that understands her strengths and preferred roles. She is scheduled to link up with the team after the Asia Cup, ensuring she arrives with plenty of recent international cricket behind her.

Due to national team commitments, Deepti will miss the start of the competition, with Erin Burns filling in for the first two matches to provide continuity in the middle order and maintain depth in the bowling attack. The Hundred 2024 begins on July 23, with London Spirit facing Southern Brave on July 24 in a high-profile clash that sets the tone for the tournament and showcases some of the biggest names in women’s cricket.

Three Indian players—Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Smriti Mandhana—will feature in The Hundred this season. Ghosh and Mandhana will also miss the opening week because of international duties, underlining the increasingly packed global women’s cricket calendar and the challenge of balancing franchise leagues with national commitments.

The presence of these Indian stars highlights the growing influence of Indian women’s cricketers in overseas T20 and 100-ball leagues. Playing in The Hundred offers valuable exposure to different conditions, large crowds, and varied tactical approaches, helping players develop skills that benefit both franchise teams and the Indian national side.

Several other player replacements have been confirmed across the competition due to injuries and scheduling conflicts, reflecting the dynamic nature of modern franchise cricket, where squads often evolve right up to the start of the tournament. England’s Test batters will join the men’s Hundred after their Test series against the West Indies, while fast bowlers such as Ben Stokes are expected to link up later for workload management. Teams and cricket boards continue to balance player fitness, multi-format international commitments, and the demands of domestic and franchise competitions around the world.