The World around U

  Sri Lanka cricket team is going through a great spell in which they have been winning a lot of back of back series across formats . Under the legendary cricketer Sanat Jayasurya they have won an ODI  series at home against a formidable India and followed it with a test match win in England . Back home they beat New Zealand 2-0 in a test series , the same New Zealand went ahead and whitewashed India in a test series in India . And now after drawing the T20I series 1-1  Sri Lanka has beaten New Zealand 2-0 in the ODI series of 3 games . In the first ODI  hundreds from Kusal Mendis (143) & Aviskha Fernando (100) set up a big Sri Lanka score of 324/5 with Asalanka's quickfire 40 providing the impetus. In reply aftr the match was reduced due to rain to 27 overs , the blackcaps could not achieve the 221 target & lost by 45 runs after finishing at 175/7 , the Kiwi middle order slumped after a fibe start by Will Young (48) & Tim Robinson (35) . Madhusanka took 3 wicket

  The battlelines are drawn . The much awaited India vs Australia confrontation now known as the Border- Gavaskar series (BGT)  is right at our doorstep . This series since the one way back in 1991-92 will feature a 5 test series starting with the opening test at the fast & bouncy Optus stadium at Perth followed by the Pink ball test at Adelaide, the 3rd test at Brisbane , the Boxing day test at Melbourne & finally the last test at Sydney . This test series has created a lot of hype all over the world and specially in the 2 countries India & Australia.  India has last lost a BGT series in 2014-15 in Australia after which they have won the past 4 Ind v Aus confrontations by an identical 2-1 margin twice at home & twice in Australia. (In 2018-19 & the iconic 2020-21) . Under Virat Kohli India for the first time won a test series on Australia soil in 2018-19 which was hugely historic but the series to remember was the last one in Australia that India won as the

  Spain ended a brilliant 2024 with a win over Switzerland in a thriller while Croatia advanced to the Nations League quarter-finals after a 1-1 home draw with Portugal on Monday, thanks to Josko Gvardiol's continued scoring form. Despite Portugal having already secured first place in Group A1, Croatia needed the result to edge Scotland by a single point. Scotland had maintained their late momentum with a 2-1 victory over Poland in Warsaw. Group A1: Croatia Hold On In Split, Portugal struck first through Joao Felix, who finished a swift counterattack in the 33rd minute. Moments later, Rafael Leao squandered an opportunity to double the lead when clean through on goal. Scotland’s early goal in Warsaw—courtesy of John McGinn, assisted by teenager Ben Doak—put Croatia under pressure, as they faced elimination. Gvardiol saw a 62nd-minute header disallowed for offside but redeemed himself just three minutes later, arriving unmarked to slot a close-range effort past Jose Sa. This marked

Michelle Andrews, born on November 7, 1971 also known as Michelle Michelle , is a legendary Australian field hockey player renowned for her exceptional defensive skills, tactical awareness, and leadership. As a cornerstone of the Australian women's hockey team (Hockeyroos), Andrews played a pivotal role in shaping the golden era of Australian hockey during the 1990s and early 2000s. Her style of play was defined by her strong defensive presence, quick interceptions, and ability to turn defense into attack, making her an indispensable player at both club and international levels. Style of Play Michelle Andrews excelled as a defender but was equally effective in transitioning play from the backline to the midfield. She was renowned for her tactical awareness, intercepting abilities, and calmness under pressure, making her a linchpin in Australia's defensive structure. Her versatility allowed her to adapt to various roles on the field, contributing to her team’s overall suc

  The 5th & final T20I match between West Indies & England got washed out after 5 overs at Saint Lucia enabling England to win the 5 match series by 3-1 .  England already had earlier won the series by winning the first 3 games while the hosts had a  consolation win in the 4th match . The 5th game started encouragingly for the West Indies as they galloped away to 44 for no loss in 5 overs before the rains arrived & sealed the game . Evin Lewis had already entertained with 29 in 20 balls including 3 4s & 2 6s . Shai Hope had hit 14 runs with 3 fours before the rain came in & stopped the game for good .  Saqib Mahmood was the player of the series for his quality bowling . For England , the further rise of Jacob Bethel as a swashbuckling left hander was a big plus while the return of fiercely aggresive opener Evin Lewis will benefit the West Indies greatly. 

  Oklahoma City (OKC), the capital of Oklahoma, is a vibrant blend of history, culture, and modernity. Known for its Western heritage, the city combines the charm of cowboy culture with thriving urban development. It is home to a bustling arts scene, delicious cuisine, and outdoor attractions. Oklahoma City has played a pivotal role in shaping the American West and is a hub for energy industries, making it a city of both historical significance and contemporary appeal. Best Spots to Visit in Detail 1. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum This moving memorial honors the victims and survivors of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The outdoor site features the Field of Empty Chairs, the Survivor Tree, and a reflecting pool, while the museum provides a powerful narrative of resilience and hope. 2. Bricktown Entertainment District Once an industrial warehouse area, Bricktown is now the city’s entertainment hub. It boasts trendy restaurants, shops, and

  Australia defeated Pakistan in the third T20 match while chasing a modest target, sealing the series 3-0. The victory was powered by Marcus Stoinis’ aggressive batting. After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first—a decision that backfired. With Mohammad Rizwan unavailable, Agha Salman captained the team. Sahibzada Farhan opened the innings alongside Babar Azam but managed to score only 9 runs. Haseebullah Khan (24) partnered with Babar Azam in a second-wicket stand to add some stability, but Pakistan's batting crumbled after Haseebullah’s dismissal. Babar was the lone standout, scoring 41 runs, while no other batter made a significant contribution. Pakistan were bowled out for 117 in 18.1 overs. For Australia, Aaron Hardie took three wickets, while Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa claimed two each. The Aussie bowlers carried the momentum to the final match and were too good for a mediocre Pakistani batting .  Australia’s innings also started shakily, losing Ma

    The concluding matchday of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 group stage delivered a night of drama and surprises, with Europe’s top teams battling for supremacy. Fans witnessed thrilling goals, shocking upsets, and dominant performances as the group stage came to a close. France outclassed Italy at San Siro, Israel pulled off a stunning victory over Belgium, and England crushed Ireland at Wembley. Here’s a recap of Sunday’s exciting action. Italy 1-3 France: Rabiot and Digne Propel France to Group Victory France emerged victorious against Italy at the iconic San Siro, securing a 3-1 win to top their Nations League group on goal difference. Adrien Rabiot gave France an early lead with a clinical header from Lucas Digne’s precise corner. Digne later doubled the advantage with a free kick that ricocheted off the crossbar and Italy’s goalkeeper. Italy managed to reduce the deficit through Andrea Cambiaso’s expertly volleyed effort, set up by Federico Dimarco’s lofted p

  Jannik Sinner capped off an extraordinary season with a historic triumph at the Nitto ATP Finals on Sunday. The 23-year-old Italian delivered a commanding performance to defeat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4, becoming the first Italian to win the prestigious tournament in its 55-year history. This victory marked Sinner's first title on home soil and was a fitting conclusion to a year that began with his Australian Open win. Throughout the match, Sinner displayed the full range of his improved skills, with his serve emerging as a decisive factor. According to Infosys ATP Stats, he won an impressive 83% (33/40) of points behind his first serve, underscoring his dominance in this department. Sinner’s win placed him in elite company. He joined Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only players to win the Australian Open, US Open, and Nitto ATP Finals in the same season. Moreover, he achieved this feat without dropping a set, becoming the first player to do so since Ivan Lendl in 1986. In a

  After the historic 1st ever  test series win on Australia soil in 2019  , India next visited Australia in 2020-21 during the covid era . Humanity was going  through a historic phase. The covid pandemic has taken over the world . Masking of faces was the common norm. Covid contacted patients had to go through isolation for several days and though the world health situation was improving there was still a long way to go for covid to be completely eradicated and it was during this phase that the Indian team embarked on another tour of Australia which turned out to be one of the most iconic one in India vs Australia cricket history albeit in half filled stadiums due to covid restrictions.  The first test was played at Adelaide and it was a day night pink ball test . India batting first started shakily but skipper Virat Kohli 's 74 along with Pujara (43) and Rahane (42) gave the  middle order some stability for India to reach 244 . In reply Australia  looked all over the pla

  After a dissappointing tour of 2011-12 which saw India lose 4-0 and the exit of many of their ageing superstars , the new era of Indian cricket started to show up with Dhoni still at the helm but with new leaders emerging and Virat Kohli soon started to take centrestage as a leader  and premier batter as India embarked on yet another Australia tour in 2014 and followed that with a hostoric moment in 2018-19 as India starred to dominate the Aussie shores .  India in Australia  : 2014-15 The 2014-15 Test series between Australia and India began under a cloud of tragedy. Australian batsman Phil Hughes had been struck by a bouncer in a domestic match and tragically passed away due to his injuries. The emotional impact on the Australian team was immense, and the series faced possible postponement. However, the Australian side ultimately rallied, determined to honor Hughes' memory on the field. The first Test at Adelaide saw Virat Kohli stepping in as India's captain due to

  The fourth match of the thrilling 5-match T20 series between England and West Indies was played on November 17 at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground. It turned out to be a high-scoring encounter, with the hosts securing a victory by 5 wickets. However, England had already clinched the series, having won the first three T20 matches. Let’s take a detailed look at how the two innings unfolded in this game. England's Innings West Indies captain Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to bowl first. England capitalized on their opportunity, posting a formidable total of 218 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Jacob Bethell played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 62 runs, smashing 5 sixes and 4 fours. Phil Salt contributed an equally impressive 55 runs, hitting 4 sixes and 5 fours. Skipper Jos Buttler (38) and Will Jacks (25) also chipped in with valuable contributions. Among the West Indies bowlers, Gudakesh Motie emerged as the most successful, taking 2 wickets. Al

  Germany Crushes Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0 to Secure Nations League Group A3 Top Spot Germany delivered a resounding 7-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, with standout performances from Florian Wirtz and Tim Kleindienst, who each netted twice. This emphatic win ensured Germany claimed the top position in Nations League Group A3 with one match remaining. Already qualified for next year’s quarter-finals, Germany now sits comfortably on 13 points, five ahead of second-placed Netherlands, as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup. Germany will travel to Budapest to face Hungary on Tuesday for their final group match. They wasted no time asserting dominance in Saturday’s game, with Jamal Musiala opening the scoring just 90 seconds in with a superb looping header. The Bayern Munich midfielder’s goal marked his third consecutive match finding the net for both club and country. The hosts extended their lead in the 23rd minute when Kleindienst converted a rebound from Robe

  Bob Mathias, born on November 17, 1930, in Tulare, California, USA, was a trailblazing American athlete and one of the most accomplished decathletes in history. Known for his remarkable versatility, endurance, and determination, Mathias became a global icon through his record-breaking performances in the decathlon, particularly at the Olympic Games. Style of Play As a decathlete, Bob Mathias excelled across ten track and field events that tested speed, strength, agility, and stamina. His natural athleticism, combined with an unmatched competitive spirit, allowed him to dominate an event requiring a unique combination of skills. Career Highlights Olympic Games 1948 London Olympics: At just 17 years old, Mathias won the gold medal in the decathlon, making him the youngest athlete to ever win the event. Remarkably, it was only the third decathlon of his career. Despite challenges, including a lack of proper equipment and injuries, his determination saw him through to victory. 195