BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla visited the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday to offer prayers and expressed confidence in India’s prospects for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
After seeking blessings, Shukla told reporters, “We had gone to seek the blessings. We prayed for everybody’s well-being.”
Discussing India’s recent and upcoming cricket engagements, he said the Test series against Sri Lanka had recently concluded, while series against New Zealand and Australia were underway.
“The Sri Lanka Test series has just concluded. Upcoming are the Test series with New Zealand and Australia. All these series are currently in progress. Whatever decisions are made after that, you all will be informed,” Shukla added.
Regarding preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027, he stated, “We will win the World Cup. Our boys are fully prepared. Ample opportunities are being provided to new players.”
The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka ended 1-0 in favor of the Shubman Gill-led Indian side. India recorded a comprehensive 165-run victory in the opening Test at Galle. The second Test in Colombo concluded in a draw, assisted by Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha, who scored an unbeaten century to help save the match.
India batted first in Colombo, posting 503 for 9, with centuries from Devdutt Padikkal (117 off 193 balls, 12 fours) and Dhruv Jurel (115 not out off 177 balls, nine fours and two sixes). Rishabh Pant contributed 63 runs, while Shubman Gill scored 50. Asitha Fernando was the leading Sri Lankan bowler with four wickets.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 in their first innings, with Dinusha making 103 off 162 balls and Pasindu Sooriyabandara adding 80 off 133 balls. Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar claimed three wickets each for India.
Following on, Sri Lanka reached 218 for 6 before a 112-run partnership between Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha (46) helped the hosts recover. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 133 off 264 balls, securing his third century of the series as Sri Lanka finished on 429 for 9 to draw the match.
In the opening Test at Galle, India secured a 165-run victory, with Manav Suthar taking a maiden 10-wicket haul and Devdutt Padikkal scoring 167 in the first innings playing significant roles in the win.