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Charith Asalanka Happy To Have ‘Good Headache’ With Sri Lanka’s Batting Resurgence

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Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka is happy to have a ‘good headache’ with the resurgence of their batters in the limited-overs format. They registered their third consecutive white-ball series with the 2-1 victory over West Indies in the ODI series on Saturday. Previously, they won the T20I series against the Windies before defeating India in the ODI series. For Sri Lanka, opener Nishan Madushka’s form came as a surprise as the batter scored 38 and 69 in the two ODIs that the team won after coming in place of injured Pathum Nissanka, who struck a half-century upon his return to the side in the final ODI against West Indies.

With Madushka, Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (who smashed a 19-ball fifty in the rain-shortened third ODI), Avishka Fernando, and even Kusal Perera, there is now intense competition for spots in the top three, all among batters in solid form.

Asalanka feels the recent performances of the top-order batters will give the team management a tough time in selecting the squad ahead.

“I’m very happy about Nishan Madushka’s form. If we have a player in that kind of form on the bench, that’s a big win for us. Now when we go into a selection meeting, we’ve got good headaches. The selectors, coach, and I have a tough time choosing a team,” Asalanka said after the series win.

“At the moment we’re in the process of devising a system where we give players a good enough run in the team, and then also give others a turn. That’s why today Nishan Madushka was dropped and we brought Pathum Nissanka back – there’s no point talking much about Nissanka, we know he’s been a special player for two or three years. Avishka played really well in the last series, so we needed to give him his place as well. But we now have a lot more hope about Nishan as well.”

“If we have a player in that kind of form on the bench, that’s a big win for us. Now when we go into a selection meeting, we’ve got good headaches,” added Asalanka on Madushka’s form.

Asalanka, who was named Player of the ODI Series against the West Indies for his scores of 77 and an unbeaten 62 in the first two matches, credited the NSL for his revival during the recent tour.

“In the last series, against India, I wasn’t in form. He’d made 49 across three ODI innings. But I played the NSL tournament and got an excellent result out of that. We’ve got to thank the board for holding the NSL. It’s a tournament that has a competitive level of cricket. And that’s for any player, whether you’re in the national team or not. It’s a place where you can gain form, build up your game, and come up,” he said.

Sri Lanka will now face New Zealand in two T20Is and three ODIs, starting on November 9 in Dambulla. After that, the team will fly to South Africa to play two Tests from November 27.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Alexander Zverev Outclasses Ugo Humbert To Clinch Paris Masters Title

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Germany’s Alexander Zverev won the Paris Masters on Sunday by defeating home hope Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 in a dominant display by the new world number two. Zverev, 27, now boasts seven ATP 1000-level titles over the course of his career, following two wins in Rome and Madrid, as well as victories in Montreal and Cincinnati. It was a happy return to Paris for Zverev, after he lost the French Open final in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz in June. Four years ago he lost the 2020 Paris Masters championship match to Daniil Medvedev. “I knew I had to play like this to win today,” said Zverev, who opened his victory speech by apologising to the crowd at Paris’ Bercy Arena.

“I want to congratulate Ugo on an incredible week, (he’s an) incredible player. If you continue like this, you’ll be able to lift trophies like this. This is not your last chance, Ugo.”

Zverev’s victory in Saturday’s semi-final meant the current world number three will overtake Spain’s Alcaraz in the new updated rankings.

The German will next play the ATP Finals in Turin from November 10-17, where he will seek to emulate his past successes in 2018 and 2021 at the season-ending showpiece. 

Zverev will head into the event as the player with the most wins this year as Sunday’s victory in the French capital was his 66th in 2024, taking him one ahead of world number one Jannik Sinner.

For 26-year-old Humbert it was a chastening experience at the end of a week that will live long in his memory as he reached his career-first Masters final on home soil.

The world number 18 stunned four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz in the last 16 as he delighted the vocal home crowds on his way to becoming the first French finalist at the indoor event in 13 years.

“I want to congratulate Sascha (Zverev) for the quality of the tennis he has played all this week, and season,” said Humbert.

“I came as a kid to watch matches here (at the Paris Masters) and it made me want to do what I do, so I’m very happy to have reached the final.”

If Humbert had any nerves at the start of his first 1000-level title match, he did not show them as he held serve in the opening game with a sublime forehand passing shot at full stretch.

But the sheer power of the German soon wore him down as Zverev forced a break point in the third game, which he converted as Humbert netted.

A second consecutive break for Zverev handed him a 4-1 lead and with that the first set.

Zverev was firmly in control of the match, making just four unforced errors to his opponent’s 17 in the opener.

And as if to compound this, Humbert started the second set with a double fault as Zverev immediately moved into a 1-0 lead.

Zverev continued to grind his opponent down with his big serve and punishing groundstrokes, despite the efforts of the partisan crowd to boost Humbert.

But the Frenchman could make no headway on the German’s service games, winning only four points on return in the second set, and did not manage to hold one of his own until the fifth game.

Zverev then served out to claim his second Masters trophy of the season, after victory on the clay of Rome in May.

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Max Verstappen Wins Brazilian Grand Prix, Lando Norris Finishes Sixth

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Max Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix© AFP




Max Verstappen won a chaotic, rain-lashed Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, roaring back from 17th on the grid to reignite his push for a fourth successive world title.

The Red Bull driver came home ahead of Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who benefitted when the race was earlier red-flagged, with title rival and pole-sitter Lando Norris only managing a sixth-place finish in his McLaren.

Victory was Verstappen’s first in a grand prix since Spain in June and he now boasts a 62-point lead in the championship with three races left in the season.

“You know what that is? Simply lovely,” said Verstappen on the team radio as he crossed the finish line.

George Russell was fourth in a Mercedes with Charles Leclerc fifth in a Ferrari while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was seventh.

Yuki Tsunoda of RB Racing was eighth with teammate Liam Lawson in ninth and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton filling out the top 10. 

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Manchester United Held 1-1 By Chelsea In First Premier League Game Since Erik Ten Hag Sacking

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Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time. Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal different into fourth. A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four. Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take charge of Sporting Lisbon for the one of the final times against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge to reach the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Still a hero among the United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s name was chanted in a buoyant pre-match atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that have lost once in nine Premier League games, provided a much stiffer test for a United side still short on confidence.

Noni Madueke came closest to opening the scoring for Chelsea in the first-half when he headed Cole Palmer’s corner off the post.

It took United time to find their feet as an attacking force but they were unfortunate not to go in front just before half-time.

Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley in the last action of a disappointing first 45 minutes from both sides.

Pedro Neto’s burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period but the Portuguese winger’s shot flew just past the far post.

The Blues remain overly reliant on Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

Before kick-off only Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Sanchez.

United were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United’s joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes.

A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Chelsea should have struck again moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

It was United who came closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew just over.

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