Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been promoted to full-time head coach for the Sri Lanka men's cricket team till the 2026 T20 World Cup. He has got the contract till March 31st, 2026.

Earlier, he got the appointment as an interim coach for the men's team for the series against India, England, and New Zealand

Sri Lanka Cricket took to its social media to inform about the extension.

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Sanath Jayasuriya as the head coach of the national team.

The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket made this decision taking into consideration the team’s good performances in the recent tours against India, England,… pic.twitter.com/IkvAIJgqio

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 7, 2024

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has announced that Jayasuriya's remarkable run as an interim coach has earned him the position of permanent coach. The board also mentioned that the appointment has been effective since October 1st, 2024.

Sri Lanka under Jayasuriya

Sri Lankan cricket has been a phoenix under the guidance of its former captain, Sanath Jayasuriya. 

Jayasuriya started his journey as a coach against India in the t20s and ODIs, where they defeated the Men in Blue in the 50-over format.

In the England tour that came next, the Lankan Lions scripted history by defeating the English at the Ovals in the thirst test. They then whitewashed New Zealand by 2-0 at home. 

Sri Lanka's overwhelming performances under Jayasuriya's short period had gained him the contract of permanent coach till the 2026 T20I World Cup.

In the thrilling world of international cricket, hitting sixes remains one of the most entertaining aspects of the game. Over the years, power-hitters have delighted fans by clearing boundaries with ease and rewriting records with their big-hitting skills.

Also Read: Fastest Indians to score 2000 test runs

Let's take a look at the batters with most sixes in international cricket history.

Most Sixes in International Cricket History

10. AB de Villiers | 328 Sixes

Former South African player AB de Villiers gets the 10th spot on this list. The former right-handed batsman slammed 328 sixes in international cricket. De Villiers shattered 64 sixes in Tests, 204 in ODIs, and 60 in the shortest format. During his career from 2004 to 2018, De Villiers was known as Mr. 360 due to his ability to smash sixes all over the ground.

9. Eoin Morgan | 346 Sixes

England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan represented both Ireland and England. From 2006 to 2022, he hit 346 sixes in international cricket. The English player has slammed 6 sixes in Tests, 220 in ODIs, and 120 in T20Is. Morgan captained England to their first ICC Cricket World Cup win in 2019.

8. Sanath Jayasuriya | 352 Sixes

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasurya grabs the 8th spot on this list. Jayasuriya, who played from 1989 to 2011, was widely popular for his ability to smash sixes. The former left-handed batsman slammed 352 sixes in international cricket during his active career. The former Sri Lanka opener smacked 59 sixes in Tests, 270 in ODIs, and 23 in T20Is. Jayasuriya retired in 2011 from international cricket.

7. MS Dhoni | 359 Sixes

Former Indian captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni bags 7th spot in this list. Dhoni accounts for 359 sixes in international cricket. Dhoni, who played for India from 2004 to 2019, slammed 78 sixes in Tests and 229 in ODIs. The wicketkeeper-batsman slammed 52 sixes in the shortest format as well. His leadership and batting prowess led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

6. Jos Buttler | 369 Sixes

Jos Buttler, England's dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, has been a key player since his debut in 2011. By 2025, he amassed 369 sixes in international cricket. Buttler's innovative stroke play and aggressive batting have been instrumental in England's recent successes.

5. Martin Guptill | 383 Sixes

Martin Guptill, another prominent New Zealand batsman, has been a consistent performer since his debut in 2009. As of 2022, he has hit 383 sixes in international cricket. In Tests, the right-handed batsman has shattered 23 sixes. The opening batsman has also slammed 187 sixes in ODIs and 173 sixes in T20Is.

Also Read: England vs India Test series: 9 test matches India won so far on English soil

4. Brendon McCullum | 398 Sixes

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum grabs the 4th spot in this list. The former right-handed batsman accounts for 398 sixes in international cricket. The former Kiwi opener slammed 107 sixes in Tests, 200 in ODIs, and 91 in T20Is. Mccullum played for New Zealand from 2002 to 2016.

3. Shahid Afridi | 476 Sixes

Shahid Afridi, affectionately known as "Boom Boom," was famous for his explosive batting style. Representing Pakistan from 1996 to 2018, Afridi hit 476 sixes in international cricket. The former Pakistan skipper accounts for 52 sixes in Tests, 351 in ODIs, and 73 in T20Is. Afridi retired from international cricket in 2018.

2. Chris Gayle | 553 Sixes

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle steals the second spot in this list. Gayle, known as the "Universe Boss," is one of the most destructive batsmen in cricket history. Over his career spanning from 1999 to 2021, he amassed 553 sixes in international cricket. Gayle has slammed 98 sixes in Tests, 331 sixes in ODIs, and 124 sixes in T20Is.

1. Rohit Sharma | 637 Sixes

Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team in ODI formats, is renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. He holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, with a total of 637 sixes across all formats. Notably, he also holds the record for the highest individual score in a One Day International (ODI) match, with 264 runs.

Also Read: Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments (men's)

Here is the list of the top 25 players with the most sixes in international cricket:

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.

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.

Smriti Mandhana has been the premier batter for the Indian cricket team. However, her journey in the ICC 2024 T20I World Cup has been bittersweet unless she got back her form against Sri Lanka in the group A match.

She scored a blistering half century off 36 balls, against Sri Lanka. With that, she sarpassed 500 runs in Women's T20 World Cup history. With that, she came third Indian, having the former captain Mithali Raj (726 runs) at the top and the present skipper Harmanpreet Kaur at the second with 620 runs.

She has played five editions of T20 World Cup earlier, accumulating 449 runs in 21 innings before stepping ito the 2024 version.

Key attributes of Mandhana in T20 Women's World Cup

1. Mandhana has her highest score 87 against Ireland in 2023 World Cup
2. Best performance in the 2018 T20 World Cup, accumulating 178 runs, at an average of 35.60.
3. Scored a much needed 83 against Australia in 2023 

Smriti Mandhana in T20I

Mandhana is known for her graceful strokes and explosive power and is a consistent performer on the world stage. 

Mandhana impressed with her elegant strokeplay, especially through the offside. Her power-hitting capabilities came in public during the 2017 World Cup, rising benchmarks of modern-day cricket.

Later, she added more aggressive shots to her repertoire, without sacrificing her trademark timing and finesse, making her one of the most feared openers in women’s T20I cricket today.

Mandhana's stats in WT20I

Mandhana has played 142 WT20I matches, accumulating 3,505 runs with an average of 28.72. Her highest score is 87 that came against Ireland in 2023 World Cup.

She has scored 1,025 runs at home (average 26.97), 1,388 runs in away matches (average 30.17), and b

She has her highest runs against Australia (731 runs), while she has her second highest runs against England (724 runs).