Sri Lanka named their 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday. Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is among four key Sri Lankan players who will miss the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 due to injury. Pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara are also missing from the squad due to injuries. Binura Fernando and Pramod Madushan were added to replace the injured players. Meanwhile, Kusal Perera is making a comeback after two years. He is still recovering from flu according to a statement from Sri Lankan Cricket and will join the rest of the squad once he recovers.

Read Also: KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India's first two matches of Asia Cup 2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid

Chameera has a pectoral injury, Madushanka hurt himself during a practice match last week and Kumara has a side strain. Sri Lanka are in the mud as most of the key players will miss the competition due to injuries. Dasun Shanaka will captain the Sri Lankan side while Kusal Mendis will play the role of vice-captain. Maheesh Theekshana will lead the spin department in Hasaranga's absence, accompanied by Dunith Wellalage and Dushan Hemantha. Sri Lanka will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Bangladesh on Thursday in Pallekele.

Asia Cup 2023 - Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vc), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando and Pramod Madushan.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), has become one of the biggest cricketing events in the world since its inception in 2008. Over the years, the IPL has provided cricket fans with some of the most thrilling and exciting moments in the sport. From stunning performances to nail-biting finishes, the IPL has never failed to entertain its fans. As the IPL 2025 has progressed, we have seen many memorable celebrations that have gone down in IPL history. 

From wild team huddles to iconic player moves, here are the Top 5 best celebrations of IPL 2025 so far. Relive the most unforgettable moments as players let their emotions fly on the biggest stage of cricket.

Also Read: IPL Records: Youngest Half-centurions in IPL History

Best Celebrations of IPL 2025

5. Ashutosh Sharma - Miracle Chase Master's Celebration

Ashutosh Sharma did the unthinkable for Delhi Capitals against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. At a time when even the most passionate of DC fans would have thought that it was not possible for their team to chase down a 210-run target, Ashutosh Sharma thought otherwise. Impact sub Ashutosh played the most defining knock of his IPL career to guide Delhi Capitals to a thrilling one wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants.

Ashutosh smashed 66 not out off 31 balls and finished it with a huge six off Shahbaz Ahmed as DC chased down a target of 210 with three balls to spare. The right-hander hit five fours and five sixes in all. Ashutsh Sharma's celebration after the win went viral.

4. Digvesh Rathi Signature Celebration

Lucknow Super Giants' rising spinner Digvesh Rathi made headlines, not just for his bowling but for his unique way of celebrating after dismissing none other than his cricketing idol, Sunil Narine. During a high-octane clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Rathi picked up the prized wicket of Narine and followed it up with a brand-new celebration.

In the 7th over of KKR's innings, Rathi bowled a deceptive googly that lured Narine into a mistimed big shot. Narine couldn’t get the power he needed, and Aiden Markram ran in from long-off to complete a clean sliding catch. After taking the wicket, Rathi bent down and theatrically signed the grass, perhaps symbolising a respectful autograph or signature moment rather than a taunt.

3. Wanindu Hasaranga Pushpa Celebration

Rajasthan Royals' Wanindu Hasaranga pulled off the iconic Pushpa celebration during the IPL 2025 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Guwahati. After dismissing KKR Skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Hasaranga came up with the move popularised by Telugu star Allu Arjun in the blockbuster movie Pushpa by wiping his chin with the back of his hand with a confident strut, inviting huge cheers from fans.

The accomplished leg-spinner has been impressive ever since he started representing Sri Lanka on the international stage. He has mentioned that Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr is his favourite player. Hasaranga has been celebrating his wickets like Neymar does when he scores a goal. When the leggie played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022, he picked up four wickets against KKR which made him celebrate ala Neymar.

2. KL Rahul Kantara Celebration

When Delhi Capitals’ wicket keeper-batsman KL Rahul thumped his chest, pointed to the ground and then drew a circle with his bat, during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, not many realized the significance of what he was doing, until he mentioned it in a post-match.

Speaking after the match, Rahul had said, “This is a special place from me. This celebration was from one of my favourite movies, Kantara. So, a tiny reminder that this ground, this turf, this place where I grew up, is mine."

Initially, it was thought that Rahul’s gestures were a reference to the fact that he’s a Bengaluru boy, a former RCB player, and, most importantly, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, being home ground. But once he mentioned Kantara, netizens were quick to put together short videos of Rahul’s celebratory moves and Divine Star Rishab Shetty’s movements in the climax of Kantara, when his character Shiva is possessed by the spirit of the Guliga Daiva and exacts vengeance on those who wronged his people.

Also Read: IPL records - Batters with most 500+ runs seasons: Kohli breaks Warner's records

1. Abhishek Sharma Parchi Celebration

Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma celebrated his maiden Indian Premier League century in a unique way, which is one of the best celebrations of IPL 2025 so far. The 24-year-old smashed a 40-ball century for SRH in a 246-run chase against the Punjab Kings in Hyderabad.

After scoring the ton, Abhishek took out a paper from his pocket and displayed the message “This one’s for the Orange Army”. The quickfire century helped him book a spot in the record books as he became the third-fastest Indian to score reach triple digits in the IPL.

A year full of cricketing drama and engaging encounters has almost come to an end. 2024 turned out to be a fascinating year for the enjoyers of cricket's longest format. From veteran cricketers to breakout stars, this year gifted us some enriching performances to be recalled for a long.

Along with some supreme performers with the bat, we have also witnessed countless magnificent performances with the red ball across the year.  

In this special article, Sportz Point aims to cultivate those cricketers who have bagged the most Test wickets in 2024. 

1. Jasprit Bumrah | 71 wickets 

Jasprit Bumrah ensured his dominance in the bowling charts across every format of the game this year. The Indian pacer tops the list with a career-best annual tally of 71 wickets in just 13 Tests in 2024. 

Bumrah’s 71 wickets is now the fifth most by an Indian bowler in a calendar year, a list led by Kapil Dev, who picked 75 wickets in 18 matches in 1983.

The 31-year-old bowler recorded his best spell of the year in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam as he picked up 6 wickets for just 45 runs in 15.5 overs. 

2. Gus Atkinson | 52 wickets

Gus Atkinson emerged as one of the fiercest faces of the English bowling attack in Tests. The 26-year-old all-rounder collected 52 wickets in only 11 Tests across the year.

Surprisingly, Atkinson made his Test debut with England only in July but made the start memorable in the best possible way. Atkinson bagged a seven-wicket haul in his first outing for England in the first Test against West Indies at Lords.

Atkinson also became the first pacer since 1996 to pick up ten wickets on a Test debut. 

3. Shoaib Bashir | 49 wickets 

The 21-year-old spinner is another surprising breakout star in Tests this year. Making his debut against India in February, Shoaib Bashir bagged an impressive 49 wickets in 15 Tests throughout the year.

Bashir broke a unique record set by the likes of James Anderson and Bill Voce, becoming the first English bowler to grab two fifers in a Test at the age of 21 during the fifth and final Test against India in March.

The off-spinner recorded his career-best figure in Tests after picking up 5 wickets for 41 runs in the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge. 

4. Matt Henry | 48 wickets 

Matt Henry breaks into the list with 48 wickets in only 9 Tests across the year to establish himself as the most dependable bowler for New Zealand in red-ball cricket.

The Kiwi veteran clinched an unbelievable fifer in the first Test against India with a 5-15 figure, maintaining an economy rate of only 1.10!

The 33-year-old pacer also picked up 7 wickets during the second Test against Australia at Christchurch, making the record of the best bowling figures (23-4-67-7) by a Kiwi speedster at home.

5. Ravindra Jadeja | 48 wickets 

Ravindra Jadeja may have had a shaky year with the Indian team struggling in Tests, but the veteran bagged 48 wickets in 12 matches across the year. 

The 36-year-old spinning all-rounder completed the 300-wicket mark in Tests during the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. He became the seventh Indian cricketer to claim 300 wickets in Test cricket, as well as the fourth-fastest (73 matches) to reach 300 wickets, following R. Ashwin (54 matches), Anil Kumble (66), and Harbhajan Singh (72).

Jadeja also became the fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 312 wickets during the third Test against New Zealand in November, surpassing greats such as Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma.

6. Prabath Jayasuriya | 48 wickets 

Prabath Jayasuriya has etched his name as one of the most surprising bowlers this year. The Sri Lankan cricketer accumulated 48 wickets in 9 matches throughout the year,

Marking his Test debut in 2022, the 33-year-old spinner achieved the 100-wicket mark in just 17 matches to become the second-quickest player to take 100 Test wickets, a list led by England's George Lohmann who did so in 16 matches in 1886.

Prabath Jayasuriya also became the 10th left-arm spinner in the world to take 10 or more five-wicket hauls in Test cricket after picking 5 for 129 during Sri Lanka's second Test against South Africa in December. 

7. Ravichandran Ashwin | 47 wickets 

Ravichandran Ashwin finished the year with 47 wickets in 11 matches before announcing his retirement from international cricket in December during India's tour of Australia.

The veteran Indian spinner recorded his best bowling figure this year during the first Test against Bangladesh in September. Ashwin grabbed six wickets for 88 wickets in the second innings.

The 38-year-old called time on his international career but left the ring on a high, being India's second-highest wicket-taker in test cricket.

8. Pat Cummins | 37 wickets 

The Australian captain picked up 37 wickets in 9 matches this year, helping Australia to edge closer to the World Test Championship Final.

However, Pat Cummins equalled Ravi Ahswin's record for most wickets (195) in the World Test Championship during the Boxing Day Test victory against India. The 31-year-old Australian pacer has achieved the mark in 86 innings as Ashwin leads the list with fewer games. (78). 

Cummins recorded his best bowling figure in Tests for 2024, during the second Test against India, completing a five-wicket-haul for 57 runs in 14 overs.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has topped the wicket-takers list in 2024. After missing the ODI World Cup last year due to injury, Hasaranga made a superb comeback in 2024. In this article, we will look at the bowlers with most ODI wickets in 2024.

Also Read: Most Test runs in 2024: Root, Jaiswal, Duckett and more

Most ODI wickets in 2024

1# Wanindu Hasaranga | 26 Wickets 

Veteran Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga finished 2024 as the joint-highest wicket-taker in ODIs this year, taking 26 wickets in just 10 matches at an average of 15.61.

Hasaranga's most memorable performance in ODI cricket this year came against Bangladesh in Chittagong, where he scored 7/19 to help the team win by three wickets.

2# Dillon Heyliger | 26 Wickets

Canadian medium pacer bowler Dillon Heyliger registered his name as the joint-highest wicket taker in ODI cricket by taking 26 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 22.23 in 2024.

His impressive performances included five wickets once and four wickets twice. Dilan's best bowling figures of 5/31 came against Nepal at King City in September.

3# Allah Ghazanfar | 21 Wickets 

Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghaznafar, who will make his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians in 2025, managed to take 21 wickets in 11 ODIs in 2024. He is the only bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in 2024.

4# Aryan Dutt | 21 Wickets 

Netherlands off-spinner Aryan Dutt registered his name as the third highest ODI wicket taker in 2024 by taking 21 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 18.71. His impressive performance also included taking five wickets once.

His best bowling was 6/34 which came against Namibia in Kirtipur.

Also Read: Most international runs in each calendar year (since 2010)

5# Nosthush Kenjige | 20 Wickets 

United States (USA) spinner Nosthush Kenjige took 20 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 21.90 in 2024. Known for his variations, Nosthush's impressive tally includes four wicket hauls. 

Kenjige's best bowling performance in 2024 came against Nepal in Dallas, where he took 4/52.

6# Kaleem Sana | 19 Wickets

Canada cricketer Kaleem Sana took 19 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 19.31 in 2024. Kaleem's tally also includes two four wicket hauls. Kaleem's best bowling performance in 2024 was 4/30.

7# Saad Bin Zafar | 19 Wickets

At No. 7, we have the third Canadian in the list. Saad Bin Zafar also took 19 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 30.73 in 2024. Zafar's best bowling performance in 2024 was 3/30.

8# Gerhard Erasmus | 18 Wickets

Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus took 18 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 22.38 in 2024. Erasmus' tally also includes a five wicket haul. His best bowling performance in 2024 was 5/28.

A year full of cricketing drama and engaging encounters has almost come to an end. 2024 turned out to be a fascinating year for the enjoyers of cricket's longest format. From veteran cricketers to breakout stars, this year gifted us some enriching performances to be recalled for a long.

In this special article, Sportz Point aims to cultivate those cricketers who have amassed the most Test runs in 2024. 

1. Joe Root | 1556 runs

Joe Root recorded his second-best annual run tally in Tests, scoring 1556 runs in 17 matches in 2024. This is also the fifth time the England top-order batter has scored over a thousand Test runs in a calendar year; only one short of the great Sachin Tendulkar who has six.

The former England captain performed consistently for England throughout 2024; having registered six Test centuries and five half-centuries this year. His career-best score of 262 in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan helped him break the record of Alastair Cook, who previously held the record for most Test runs by an English cricketer. 

Root also tops the list of active batters with the most Test tons with 36 centuries by his name. His impressive performances throughout 2024 also placed him with Rahul Dravid for the joint-fifth-highest tons in Test cricket's history. 

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal | 1478 runs

Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as one of the most discussed breakout stars of Indian cricket in 2024. Having amassed 1478 runs across 15 Tests, Jaiswal has certainly cemented his place in the national Test team after an outstanding year.

The young Indian opener started the year with a gripping double-century in the third Test against England in Rajkot. An unbeaten 214 saw the 22-year-old batter record his career-best Test innings so far. 

With three Test tons and nine half-centuries, Jaiswal has entered the globe of big names in test crickets in 2024. He also became the youngest Indian batter to reach 1000 Test runs in a calendar year during the second Test against New Zealand in October 2024.

With the most runs amongst Indian cricketers in 2024, Jaiswal also surpassed former Indian opener Virender Sehwag to become the Indian opener with the most Test runs in a calendar year.

3. Ben Duckett | 1149 runs

The England veteran garnered 1149 Test runs in 17 innings for England in 2024, comprising two centuries and three half-centuries.

The 30-year-old England opener owned some brilliant records in 2024 as he notched up the fastest half-century in Tests by an England opener. Duckett smashed a blistering fifty off just 32 balls during England's second Test against West Indies in July 2024. 

Duckett also reached the milestone of becoming the fastest batter to reach 2,000 Test runs in terms of balls bowled in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024. By scoring a brilliant 114 off 129 balls, he completed his 2000 Test runs in just 2,293 balls while being the ultimate flagbearer of England's blistering 'Bazball' cricket.

4. Harry Brook | 1100 runs

Harry Brook has emerged as one of the most competent cricketers for England to showcase their quickfire brand of batting in Tests, which earned him 1100 Test runs across 12 Tests in 2024.

The 25-year-old batter scored four centuries and three half-centuries this year, at a remarkable strike rate of 87.04. However, Brook stormed into the headlines with his maiden triple-century in Tests against Pakistan in October 2024.

Brook recorded his career-best innings of 317 off 322 balls in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, helping England reach a mammoth total of 823 in the first innings. Noticeably, Brook scored 723 runs in 6 Tests while playing away from home, more than the same number of Tests he played in England in 2024.

5. Kamindu Mendis | 1049 runs

Kamindu Mendis enlisted himself as the sixth batsman to score more than 1000 runs in Tests across the year. The 26-year-old batter continued to be the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's middle-order, having garnered 1049 runs in only 9 Tests; studded with five tons and three half-centuries.

Mendis had an impressive batting average of 74.92 across nine Tests, more than any other batter who played more than two Tests during the calendar year.

However, Mendis marked his most notable achievement by becoming the joint-third fastest to score 1000 Test runs; matching Sir Don Bradman’s record of 13 innings to reach the milestone. He achieved this admirable record with an unbeaten innings of 182 off 250 deliveries which helped Sri Lanka win the second Test against New Zealand at Galle in September 2024.

The Sri Lankan batter also became the first cricketer in the 147 years of Test cricket's existence to hit a 50-plus score in all of his first eight Test matches. Mendis etched his name on the record books during the second Test against New Zealand by slamming his fifth half-century and eighth consecutive 50-plus score.

6. Kane Williamson | 1013 runs

Kane Williamson continued his domination with the willow in Tests, having accumulated 1013 runs across 9 matches in 2024.

The New Zealand veteran smashed a thousand runs in a calendar year after nine years since the first. His impressive stint in Tests was studded with 4 tons and 4 half-centuries while maintaining an average of 59.58. The 34-year-old opener for New Zealand clinched his 33rd Test century during the Test against England in Hamilton on 16 December. 

Williamson brought up a brilliant knock of 156 off 204 deliveries in the second innings, becoming the third-fastest cricketer to register 33 centuries in Test cricket. Williamson reached this remarkable milestone in 186 innings, behind Ricky Ponting (178) and Sachin Tendulkar (183). 

7. Ollie Pope | 994 runs

Ollie Pope is another English batter in this list who broke the headlines, performing well for the formidable England Test side. The English wicketkeeper-batsman amassed 994 runs in 17 matches, studded with three centuries and four half-centuries.

Pope cracked the headlines as he achieved a unique record during the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval in September 2024. Pope became the first-ever cricketer to score his first seven Test centuries against different teams as he smashed an impressive unbeaten knock of 103 off 103 deliveries.

Sadly, the 26-year-old batter missed a double century by just four runs as he pulled off a knock of 196 runs off 278 deliveries against India in Hyderabad in January 2024. 

8. Rachin Ravindra | 984 runs

Rachin Ravindra had a memorable year in Tests, garnering 984 runs across 12 matches in 2024. The 25-year-old had also hit two centuries and four half-centuries with an average of 42.78. 

The biggest breakout star of the 2023 ODI World Cup acquired his personal best Test innings in February 2024, during the first Test of South Africa's tour of New Zealand. The left-handed batter scored a magnificent innings of 240 off 366 deliveries.

Rachin also became the first New Zealand cricketer to score a Test hundred on Indian soil after 2012, as he smashed 134 runs off 157 balls during the first Test in Bengaluru in October 2024. 

Team India seems to be eliminated from the World Test Championship final. At present, South Africa and Australia are at the first and second positions respectively in the points table. South Africa recently whitewashed Sri Lanka in the 2-match Test series on home soil, after which they achieved the top position in the points table.

Also Read: Race to WTC 25 Final: Here is what India need to do to qualify for World Test Championship final

Team India's position is at stake as South Africa reaches the top. From here, South Africa needs only one more win to make it to the finals. At the same time, Australia will need about three wins to get a place in the finals. So let us know what each team will need in this situation to make it to the WTC final.

WTC Points Table

Australia's path to WTC final

• 4-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 2-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need to win at least one Test against Sri Lanka
• 2-3 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need to win 2-0 against Sri Lanka

Australia, standing at second position with 60.71 percent, have three home Tests against India and two away Tests in Sri Lanka remaining. They need two wins from their three Tests against India to secure a place in the final. 

Even if Australia loses both Tests in Sri Lanka, a 3-2 series win against India would leave them at 55.26 percent, higher than India's 53.51 percent and Sri Lanka's 53.85 percent. If Australia loses 2-3, India would move up to 58.77 percent, and Australia would then need to win both Tests in Sri Lanka to surpass India. 

Alternatively, they would have to hope that South Africa manages no more than one draw against Pakistan, leaving South Africa at 55.56%, a mark Australia can surpass with a win and a draw in Sri Lanka.

India's path to WTC final

• 4-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need Sri Lanka to draw at least one of their remaining matches against Australia
• 2-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need Sri Lanka to win series against Australia 1-0 or 2-0 to qualify

The Indian team has lost 4 of the last 5 tests. At present, India is at third position in the points table with 57.290 percent. 

From here, Team India will have to achieve at least two wins in the remaining three Tests against Australia to reach the finals without depending on the results of other teams. Apart from this, they will have to get a test drawn. In this situation, even Australia's 2-0 victory against Sri Lanka will not cause any trouble.

If the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ends 2-2 and both the Australia-Sri Lanka Tests are drawn, then India and Australia will be tied at 55.26%. In this situation, Team India will progress in terms of winning more series.

Also Read: Is it the end of Rohit-Kohli? How can India qualify for WTC final? Who else whitewashed India at home?

South Africa's path to WTC final

• Win one of their remaining two Tests against Pakistan

South Africa, leading the table with a percentage of 63.33, has two home matches against Pakistan remaining. Their recent 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka has put them in a strong position. 

To secure a spot in the final, South Africa needs to win just one of their upcoming Tests against Pakistan. A 1-1 series result would leave them at 61.11 percent, with only India or Australia in a position to overtake them.

Sri Lanka's path to WTC final

• Win both remaining Tests against Australia and have other results go their way

Sri Lanka, currently at 45.45 percent, has two home matches against Australia left. Even if they win both Tests, they would only reach 53.85 percent, and would then be dependent on other results. 

South Africa and one of India or Australia can surpass this percentage. For both teams to finish below 53.85 percent, Australia would need to win their series against India 2-1 with two draws, and South Africa would have to lose both Tests against Pakistan.