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IND vs SL 1st Test: Devdutt Padikkal’s return with ton ends India’s barren run
[popcorn number="150" desc="No. of runs put on by KL Rahul and Padikkal for the second wicket on Day One" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="Two" desc="Devdutt Padikkal becomes only the second Indian left-handed batter in the 21st century to score a Test century at No. 3, after Sourav Ganguly" class="Default"] slot-chickenroad.org
Since Cheteshwar Pujara became superfluous to the Test scheme of things, India have embarked on a furious and frustrating search for a reliable, long-term No. 3. Shubman Gill seemed to be settling into that role after asking for, and getting, that position on the tour of the West Indies in June 2023. But once he was elevated as Test captain last June and moved down to No. 4, India’s hunt has been futile.
Among others, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Washington Sundar occupied that slot, with no more than modest success. On Saturday here, a tall left-hander playing his first Test in 21 months finally answered the call with a maiden century that thrust India into the ascendancy.
KL Rahul during his 77 vs SL on Saturday. Pic/AFP
Seizing his chance
Devdutt Padikkal would almost certainly have warmed the bench for the first Test against Sri Lanka if Sudharsan hadn’t been ruled out with a stress reaction in his big toe. Thrown an unexpected lifeline, the rangy 26-year-old grabbed his opportunity with gratitude and grace, breezing to an unbeaten 131 as India finished Day One of their 600th Test on an impressive 288-2.
Breaking the drought
Padikkal’s stylish composition, dotted by sparkling stroke-production, ended a long barren run; the last Test hundred by an India No. 3 came in September 2024, 35 innings previously, when Gill smashed an unbeaten 119 against Bangladesh in Chennai. As Gill watched from the best seat in the house, Padikkal surged to three figures in just 134 deliveries, indicative of his authority at the crease and his complete mastery of spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Keshara Nuwantha, expected to be the biggest threats.
India made the most of Gill winning a crucial toss with a consistently strong batting display. Padikkal was the fulcrum around which the day revolved; walking in to join KL Rahul after a mix-up led to Yashasvi Jaiswal being run out, he announced his intentions with a pulled four off his first ball from Nuwantha, determined to build on his fluent 142 not out against an SLC XI in Colombo last week.
Rahul kept his younger colleague excellent company as the two Karnataka boys put on 150 for the second wicket. They looked good for more when Rahul hobbled off the field with cramps all over his body soon after tea. Gill fell cheaply, but just before close, Rishabh Pant fired a few menacing shots across the bow alongside Padikkal, purring along majestically.
Brief scores
India 288-2 (D Padikkal 131*, KL Rahul 77, Y Jaiswal 32; P Jayasuriya 1-77) vs Sri Lanka
Rahmat Shah, Atal Powers Afghanistan to 4-0 ODI Series Sweep Over Ireland
A stunning knock by Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal has set up Afghanistan’s 6-wicket victory against Ireland at Belfast.
Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten with 143* runs, while Sediqullah Atal (98) put up Ireland’s massive win in the final ODI to secure a 4-0 clean sweep in the series.
After being invited to bat first, Ireland’s Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling opened the innings. Ireland’s top order put up a decent contribution before Azmatullah Omarzai bagged the wickets of the openers.
With Cade and Harry Tector at the crease, Ireland scored 49 runs in the powerplay. AM Ghazanfar bagged the wicket of Cade Carmichael for 22 runs on an LBW.
However, Harry Tector stabilised the innings, smashing a half-century, while Tucker lost his wicket to AM Ghazanfar.
Curtis Campher has put up a solid performance, scoring 96 runs, pushing the side to set up a competitive total.
George Dockrell (31) and Jordan Neill (23*) have set up Ireland to post 298 runs in their 50-over innings.
𝐎𝐃𝐈 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐍𝐎. 𝟔 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐀𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐇!
The skipper, @RahmatShah_08, stands tall and leads the team from the front with a magnificent and much-needed hundred in the fifth and final ODI against Ireland.
It is his 6th hundred in ODI cricket, and his… pic.twitter.com/kKVAcuuMzw
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 15, 2026
Azmatullah Omarzai set up three wickets, while AM Ghazanfar bagged two wickets, and Mohammad Saleem and Kharoti bagged one wicket each.
Chasing a 299-run target, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the innings while Jai Moondra opened the attack.
However, the openers lost their wicket to Liam McCarthy cheaply. With Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah at the crease, Afghanistan scored only 30 runs in the powerplay.
The duo forged a 201-run partnership for the third wicket, during which Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah smashed his century, completing his 6th ODI century.
Sediqullah Atal scored 98 runs before being dismissed by Liam McCarthy. Omarzai, who came to bat, scored 24 runs before being dismissed by 24 runs.
With Rahmat Shah (143*) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (9*) at the crease, Afghanistan scored 302 and completed the chase in the 49th over.
Rahmat Shah was named Player of the Match. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Shah said, “First of all, thanks to Almighty Allah. Yeah, after a long time, I don’t remember when I last made a hundred for Afghanistan. So, I will never forget this moment and this hundred.”
The post Rahmat Shah, Atal Powers Afghanistan to 4-0 ODI Series Sweep Over Ireland appeared first on Times of Sports.Arsenal Vs Manchester City Preview, FA Community Shield 2026: When and where to watch English football’s season opener
The English football season begins with a familiar contest on Sunday as Arsenal take on Manchester City in the FA Community Shield, just a week before the Premier League gets underway. The match at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will give both teams their first chance to win silverware in the new campaign.
There is plenty of history between these two sides in recent years. Arsenal and City have been involved in some of the biggest Premier League battles with the two teams regularly fighting for the title for the past four seasons or so.
That rivalry reached another level last season when Arsenal finally finished ahead of City and ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy. City finished second but still ended the campaign with the FA Cup and League Cup.
For Arsenal, the Community Shield is a chance to start their title defence with a trophy. Mikel Arteta’s side will also be looking to continue the progress made over the last few seasons. Arsenal have strengthened their squad again, including the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, and will hope to begin the new season on a positive note.
Manchester City, meanwhile, enter a new era. For the first time in 10 years, Pep Guardiola will not be in the dugout. Guardiola left the club after a hugely successful decade that brought 20 trophies, including multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Enzo Maresca has now taken over as City’s new manager. The former Chelsea boss already knows the club well, having previously worked as one of Guardiola’s assistants. His first competitive match will therefore come against one of City’s biggest rivals, making the Community Shield an early test of his new team.
The two sides have also met in the Community Shield in recent years. Their previous clash came in 2023, when Arsenal produced a dramatic comeback to win the trophy. City looked set to lift the Shield after Cole Palmer gave them the lead, but Leandro Trossard equalised deep into stoppage time. Arsenal then won the penalty shootout 4-1.
That game showed how close the two teams had become and added another chapter to their growing rivalry.
This time, however, the focus will be slightly different. Arsenal are starting as Premier League champions, while City are beginning life under Maresca after Guardiola’s departure. With the Premier League starting only a week later, both managers will want a strong performance and a first trophy of the season even if it has a very little significance.
AUS Vs BAN, 1st Test: Steve Smith overtakes English rival Joe Root in THIS rare fielding record
Steve Smith added another major achievement to his Test career during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, matching England’s Joe Root for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in the longest format of the game.
Smith entered the match with 215 catches and needed three more to reach Root’s mark of 218. He completed the feat by taking three catches in Bangladesh’s first innings, moving level with Root at the top of the list.
The milestone came during a difficult Test for Australia, who were put under pressure by Bangladesh from the opening day. Smith had already played an important role with the bat, scoring 71 in Australia’s first innings after the home side were bowled out for 198.
His catches came at second slip, where he took chances off Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das. Reaching 218 catches in only 124 Tests also makes Smith’s achievement stand out. Root took 166 Tests to reach the same number.
Smith has long been regarded as one of Australia’s best fielders in the slips. His ability to stay close to the wicket and react quickly has made him a regular presence in the position throughout his Test career.
The record is another entry on a long list of achievements for the former Australia captain. His 71 in the first innings was also vital as Australia struggled against Bangladesh’s bowling attack. Hasan Mahmud took 6/55 as the visitors bowled Australia out for their lowest Test total against Bangladesh.
Smith’s latest landmark, however, came as Bangladesh continued to dominate the match. The visitors were playing their first Test in Australia in 23 years and quickly showed that they were not overawed by the occasion.
Where the Australia vs Bangladesh Test stands
Bangladesh finished their first innings on 426, taking a massive 228-run lead after Australia had been dismissed for 198. Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler for Australia, taking 6/89 on his return to Test cricket and reaching 300 Test wickets in the process.
Australia’s second innings again began badly. Jake Weatherald was dismissed for a duck, Travis Head also fell cheaply and Marnus Labuschagne made 31. Smith then scored 44 before being dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
At stumps on Day 3, Australia were 161/4, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19. They still trail Bangladesh by 67 runs. Bangladesh need six wickets to win, while Australia need their lower order to produce a big fightback on Day 4.