Andrew Fidel Fernando

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Correspondent at ESPN Cricinfo

Author. Journalist. Unkempt. Wandering.

Articles

Santner says New Zealand missed Henry but proud of group

1 month ago | espn.in | Andrew Fidel Fernando |Sidharth Monga

Matt Henry had been desperate to play in the final of the Champions Trophy. He had taken five wickets in the previous match in Dubai, against India. He was the tournament's highest wicket-taker. And even after he suffered the injury to the shoulder as he took the catch that removed Heinrich Klaasen in the semi-final against South Africa, he came back into the game and bowled two further overs, and fielded.
Rohit on India's unbeaten ICC run: 'Shows the quality in the team'

1 month ago | espn.in | Andrew Fidel Fernando

In the last three men's ICC tournaments, India have won 23 out of 24 completed matches, and claimed two trophies. This is the kind of run that signals the kind of sustained excellence that few teams in the history of cricket have achieved. Rohit Sharma, the man who has captained India right through those tournaments knows that.
Rohit on India's unbeaten ICC run: 'Shows the quality in the team'

1 month ago | espn.co.uk | Andrew Fidel Fernando

In the last three men's ICC tournaments, India have won 23 out of 24 completed matches, and claimed two trophies. This is the kind of run that signals the kind of sustained excellence that few teams in the history of cricket have achieved. Rohit Sharma, the man who has captained India right through those tournaments knows that.
India's spin quartet pulls the strings in dominant display

1 month ago | espn.co.uk | Andrew Fidel Fernando

There is no relent. With two you could maybe manage. With three it was already a minefield (ask Bangladesh, or Pakistan). Four? Hah. On this worn square? Yah, good luck. Eke out your little singles here, squeeze out an edged four there, you can hit out and maybe nail one to the boundary, but you know you've taken a risk, and how long are you really going to be that brave for?
India's spin quartet pulls the strings in dominant display

1 month ago | espn.in | Andrew Fidel Fernando

There is no relent. With two you could maybe manage. With three it was already a minefield (ask Bangladesh, or Pakistan). Four? Hah. On this worn square? Yah, good luck. Eke out your little singles here, squeeze out an edged four there, you can hit out and maybe nail one to the boundary, but you know you've taken a risk, and how long are you really going to be that brave for?
Recent Match Report - India vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Final

1 month ago | espn.in | Sidharth Monga |Andrew Fidel Fernando

India 254 for 6 (Rohit 76, Iyer 48, Rahul 34*, Bracewell 2-28) beat New Zealand 251 for 7 (Mitchell 63, Bracewell 53, Kuldeep 2-40, Varun 2-45) by four wicketsNew Zealand defended with all their might against heavy favourites India. But in the end, India had just too much quality and depth to end their second straight ICC tournament unbeaten. They now hold two of the four ICC trophies, having lost in the final of the other two.
Santner: 'New Zealand will be better for the run against Varun'

1 month ago | espn.in | Andrew Fidel Fernando |Alagappan Muthu |Karthik Krishnaswamy |Deep Gadhia

There are many experienced players in the India team that New Zealand men's side will be wary of in the Champions Trophy final. But one of their most inexperienced players will also loom large on the minds of New Zealand's batters. Varun Chakravarthy has played all of three ODIs, but in that stretch, he has got eight wickets, and averages 18.12.
Match Preview - India vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 2025, Final

1 month ago | espn.in | Andrew Fidel Fernando |Deep Gadhia

Big picture: The two best spin-bowling unitsEverybody knows how this is going to play out. India will lean on the strength of their spinners, who on occasion have challenged the idea that runs even belong in the game of cricket. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy are probably allowed to do that. One minute, they toss a tiny white ball down the pitch, the next a full-grown man at the other end becomes a footnote in history without knowing what happened. But the other two? The left-arm orthodoxers?
Tactics board: How key will Kohli vs Santner be? Is batting first the best option in Dubai?

1 month ago | espn.in | Karthik Krishnaswamy |Alagappan Muthu |Deep Gadhia |Andrew Fidel Fernando

Most ODI teams are incomplete in one way or another. They either prioritise batting depth and end up relying heavily on part-timers, or pick the best possible bowling attack and end up with a long tail. India and New Zealand are easily the two most complete teams of the Champions Trophy 2025. They have top-order batters with a wide range of gears, bowling attacks with variety and incision, and allrounders who ensure both batting and bowling depth.
Tactics board: How key will Kohli vs Santner be? Is batting first the best option in Dubai?

1 month ago | espn.co.uk | Karthik Krishnaswamy |Alagappan Muthu |Deep Gadhia |Andrew Fidel Fernando

Most ODI teams are incomplete in one way or another. They either prioritise batting depth and end up relying heavily on part-timers, or pick the best possible bowling attack and end up with a long tail. India and New Zealand are easily the two most complete teams of the Champions Trophy 2025. They have top-order batters with a wide range of gears, bowling attacks with variety and incision, and allrounders who ensure both batting and bowling depth.