Chamika Karunaratne will replace Shanaka in the Sri Lankan squad. The Event Technical Committee of the tournament has given the green light for Karunaratne.

Shanaka was ruled out due to a right thigh muscle injury he sustained during Sri Lanka’s match against Pakistan on October 10. He will require at least three weeks to recover fully.

Karunaratne was initially listed as the traveling reserve for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis serves as the designated vice-captain in the original squad. Sri Lanka are missing one of their star players Wanindu Hasaranga before the start of the tournament.

Notably, Sri Lanka have faced defeats in both of their matches so far in the tournament. They have lost against South Africa and Pakistan in two high-scoring contests. They will meet Australia in Lucknow on Monday. The injury-ravaged Sri Lankan team has a major challenge now to keep themselves in contention for a spot in the semifinal.

During his knock, Rohit broke a massive record of former explosive West Indies opener Chris Gayle for hitting the most sixes in international cricket.

Rohit has so far struck 555 sixes in 453 matches while Gayle ended his international career with 553 sixes.

The ‘Universe Boss’ (as Gayle is popularly known) was quick to praise the ‘Hitman’ (as Rohit is called by fans) on social media platform ‘X’ (earlier known as Twitter) after the ‘sixes’ record was broken.

“Congrats, @ImRo45 – Most Sixes in International cricket. #45 Special,” tweeted Gayle.

Responding to Gayle’s tweet, Rohit wrote, “Thanks CG 4&5 on the back but our favorite number is 6”.

Earlier in a video message to Gayle, Rohit had written, “Universe boss is Universe Boss. Obviously I have taken a leaf out of his books. Over the years we have seen him, such a six hitting machine he is, wherever he plays.”

As per Raina, like Dhoni, SKY (As Suryakumar Yadav is popularly known) has the potential to make a substantial impact in the death overs.

“If anyone can make a huge impact in the death overs apart from MS Dhoni, then it’s Suryakumar Yadav,” said Raina during an interview.

Notably, SKY had a rough year in ODIs. However, he returned to form in style right before the World Cup, smashing two half-centuries during the ODI series against formidable Australia. But, his place in the playing XI remains uncertain for India’s opening match against Australia in Chennai on Sunday in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

With all-rounder Hardik Pandya returning to the side and right-handed batsman Shreyas Iyer also among the runs, Suryakumar could likely be on the bench for the all-important match.

Moreover, Raina believes that promising batter Shubman Gill will be India’s ‘strongest card’ for the mega event.

“Shubman Gill will be India’s strongest card. He has been in stunning form and has figured out how he needs to play in ODIs. He has spent some time with Virat and is batting with Rohit Sharma, who has hit double centuries. Gill has also hit a double century,” said the former aggressive southpaw.

As per former India great Sunil Gavaskar, England are the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup starting from October 5.

The Little Master fells that the Jos Buttler-led side has got a terrific bowling line-up and also consists of three ‘world-class all-rounders’ who can change the game.

“The defending champions England are definitely favourites to lift the coveted trophy because of the kind of talent that they have at the top of the order. They have got two or three world-class all-rounders who can change the game with both bat and ball. They have also got a very good bowling line-up, an experienced bowling line-up, so at the moment they are in my book,” said Gavaskar during an interview.

Meanwhile, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan backed Team India to win the title. As per Irfan, the hosts are ‘ticking all the boxes’ and are one of the favorites to lift the coveted ICC trophy.

“I am very excited to see how India performs and I really think they are one of the favorites, for sure because especially last couple of series, like Asia Cup, and the way India played against Australia as well in the home conditions. I think they are ticking all the boxes,” said Irfan during an interview.