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India recall Sharma for Sri Lanka tests, uncapped Pandya included

Indian recalled batsman Rohit Sharma and included uncapped all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the squad to face Sri Lanka in a three-test series starting this month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Sunday.

Sharma last played in the five-day format against New Zealand in October, 2016 before he was sidelined with a thigh injury.


The 30-year-old, who finished as second-highest run scorer at the Champions Trophy last month, was rested for the limited-overs tour of West Indies. He replaces Karun Nair in the 16-member squad.

Pandya, a regular in India's one-day international and Twenty20 sides, could make his test debut to support the pace bowling unit comprising Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

KL Rahul was also included after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the home test series against Australia this year.

The number one test team in the official rankings, Virat Kohli's India side will play three tests, five one-dayers and one Twenty20 international in Sri Lanka.

Full squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.

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Priyanka Patel Inclusive Diwali

Diwali-themed event in Coventry marks the next partnership between The Empowered Desi and local business Sugar and Spice

Tristan Potter

Priyanka Patel’s Empowered Desi brings inclusive Diwali celebration to Coventry

Highlights

  • Diwali celebration tomorrow kicks off business with ticketed workshops and networking.
  • Model taps into growing demand for inclusive, heritage-focused experiences.
  • Platform targets not just south Asians seeking cultural connection, but everyone.

Creating cultural belonging

Priyanka Patel, curator of The Empowered Desi, a new events platform for south Asians seeking cultural connection, is here with a Diwali celebration on Saturday (18) at Fargo Village in Coventry. The venture was born from personal experience – Patel felt "isolated and neglected" growing up without many south Asian friends. Spotting a gap in the market, she's now building a business around creating inclusive spaces for south Asians regardless of religious or regional background.

Diwali-themed , Paint N Sip event in Coventry marks the venture's next partnership with local business Sugar and Spice, Patel is offering a ticketed experience featuring diya decorating workshops, Indian grazing boards with chai, and jewellery stations where guests can take home jhumkas and bangles. The Diwali format combines cultural celebration with networking opportunities, with south Asian attire preferred.

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